Calvin's Institutes: May 29

Calvin's Institutes: June 18

Podcast Description God does not demand perfect faith, zeal, or repentance before hearing our prayers. In these sections from John Calvin’s Institutes, we receive great comfort: even the prayers of the saints are imperfect—mixed with coldness, wandering thoughts, irregular emotions, and doubts—yet our heavenly Father indulges our weaknesses. Calvin shows why we must pray in the name of Christ our Advocate and Mediator, who alone makes our approach to the throne of grace possible and effective. Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 20, Sections 16-18 Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com [https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com] Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton [https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton] Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com [https://www.credocourses.com] Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org [https://www.credoministries.org] #ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #Prayer #ChristOurMediator #ReformationTheology #ReformedFaith #GraceAlone

Calvin's Institutes: June 17

Today’s Readings Podcast Description God’s promises are rich and freely offered, yet we often respond with cold indifference—preferring broken cisterns to the fountain of living waters. In these powerful sections from John Calvin’s Institutes, we see how the Lord tenderly allures us to prayer through his Word while addressing honest objections: Why does God sometimes seem to answer passionate, imperfect, or even unbelieving prayers? Calvin upholds the unchanging rule of faith and promise-based prayer, showing that singular examples do not overturn the ordinary pattern God has given his people. True prayer rises on the ladder of God’s sure promises, remaining humble and bold at the same time, even when our hearts are sluggish or our understanding imperfect. Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 20, Sections 14–15 Augustine — The Confessions, Book X, Chapter X (Section X) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part X, Question X (Articles X–X) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com [https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com] Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton [https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton] Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com [https://www.credocourses.com] Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org [https://www.credoministries.org] #ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #Prayer #GodsPromises #ReformedTheology #FaithAndPrayer

Calvin's Institutes: June 16

Podcast Description How can we approach God in prayer when we feel so unworthy? John Calvin continues his masterful teaching on prayer with the fourth essential rule: even in deep humility, we must pray with confident hope. He shows how repentance and faith work together, how the saints prayed with both fear and trust, and how true prayer is always rooted in the assurance that God hears those who come to Him through Christ. These sections call us to reject doubt and approach the throne of grace with boldness grounded in God’s mercy. Today’s Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 20 — Of Prayer: A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits Derived from It (Sections 11–13) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com [https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com] Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton [https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton] Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com [https://www.credocourses.com] Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org [https://www.credoministries.org] #ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #Institutes #Prayer #Faith #Reformation

Calvin's Institutes: June 15

Podcast Description How do we approach the holy God in prayer without presumption? John Calvin continues his vital teaching on prayer with three essential rules: we must come with undivided attention and reverence, feeling our deep need with ardent desire, and always grounding our requests in humble confession and God’s mercy alone. He shows how the greatest saints prayed with profound humility, never relying on their own worth but casting themselves entirely on divine grace. These sections call us to pray with sincerity, repentance, and confidence in the Mediator rather than in ourselves. Today’s Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 20 — Of Prayer: A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits Derived from It (Sections 8–10) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com [https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com] Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton [https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton] Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com [https://www.credocourses.com] Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org [https://www.credoministries.org] #ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #Institutes #Prayer #Humility #Confession #Reformation

Calvin's Institues: June 14

Podcast Description Why do we pray if God already knows our needs? In this profound chapter from John Calvin’s Institutes, we discover that prayer is far more than a religious duty — it is the chief exercise of faith, the vital means by which we draw from the inexhaustible treasures of Christ. Calvin explains our total dependence on God, the immense benefits of constant prayer, and the essential rules for praying rightly: approaching God with a heart lifted above earthly distractions, asking according to His will, and coming with sincere desire and repentance. These truths transform prayer from a perfunctory habit into a living conversation with our heavenly Father. Today’s Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 20 — Of Prayer: A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits Derived from It (Sections 1–7) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com [https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com] Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton [https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton] Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com [https://www.credocourses.com] Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org [https://www.credoministries.org] #ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #Institutes #Prayer #Faith #Reformation