Calvin writes very observingly: “For words cannot express how much God is vexed by our lack of trust when we ask him for a favor which we do expect to receive.”
(Institutes, 1541, p. 524)

Calvin points out in his Institutes and commentaries this remarkable truth about praying for others.

“Therefore our prayers are bound always to seek to express themselves in intercession for all mankind, but especially for the whole Church, not only in this generation, but in generations to come. To make intercession of men is the most powerful and practical way in which we can express our love for them.”

Calvin says in his Institutes that “whatever we need and whatever we lack is in God and in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Inst. III. xx. 1, p. 850)

Here’s a wonderful excerpt from the Institutes on prayer.

“The fourth rule is that, thus cast down and overcome by true humility, we should be nonetheless encouraged to pray by a sure hope that our prayer will be answered. These are indeed things apparently contrary: to join the firm assurance of God’s favor to a sense of his just vengeance; yet, on the ground that God’s goodness alone raises up those oppressed by their own evil deeds, they very well agree together. For, in accordance with our previous teaching that repentance and faith are companions joined together by an indissoluble bond, although one of these terrifies us while the other gladdens us, so also these two ought to be present together in prayers. And David briefly expresses this agreement when he says: “I through the abundance of thy goodness will enter thy house, I will worship toward the temple of thy holiness with fear” [Ps. 5:7]. [Read more…]

Calvin points out in his commentary on the Psalms (Psalm 5) that, “it is only through the goodness of God that we have access to him; and that no man prays aright but he who, having experienced his grace, believes and is fully persuaded that he will be merciful to him.”