The Lord's Prayer
Q98:What is prayer?
A:Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God1 for things agreeable to his will,2 in the name of Christ,3 with confession of our sins,4 and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.5
1 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. (Psalms 62:8).
2 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27).
3 Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. (John 16:23b).
4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession. (Daniel 9:4a).
5 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6).
Q99:What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?
A:The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer;1 but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord's Prayer.2
1 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. (1John 5:14).
2 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, &c. (Matthew 6:9).
Q100:What doth the preface of the Lord's prayer teach us?
A:The preface of the Lord's prayer, [which is, Our Father which art in heaven,] teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence,1 as children to a father,2 able and ready to help us;3and that we should pray with and for others.4
1 Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people. (Isaiah 64:9).
2 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13).
3 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15).
4 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. (Ephesians 6:18).
Q101:What do we pray for in the first petition?
A:In the first petition, [which is, Hallowed be thy name,] we pray, That God would enable us and others to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself known;1 and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.2
1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. (Psalms 67:1-3).
2 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (Romans 11:36).
Q102:What do we pray for in the second petition?
A:In the second petition, [which is, Thy kingdom come,] we pray, That Satan's kingdom may be destroyed;1and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced,2 ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it;3 and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.4
1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. (Psalms 68:1).
2 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. (Psalms 51:18).
3 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you. (2Thessalonians 3:1).
Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. (Romans 10:1).
4 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20).
Q103:What do we pray for in the third petition?
A:In the third petition, [which is, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven,] we pray, That God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey,1 and submit to his will in all things,2 as the angels do in heaven.3
1 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies. (Psalms 119:34-36a).
2 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. (Acts 21:14).
3 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. (v22) Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul. (Psalms 103:20, 22).
Q104:What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
A:In the fourth petition, [which is, Give us this day our daily bread,] we pray, That of God's free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life,1 and enjoy his blessing with them.2
1 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me. (Proverbs 30:8).
2 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. (Psalms 90:17).
Q105:What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
A:In the fifth petition, [which is, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,] we pray, That God, for Christ's sake, would freely pardon all our sins;1 which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.2
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. (Psalms 51:1).
2 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Matthew 6:14).
Q106:What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
A:In the sixth petition, [which is, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,] we pray, That God would either keep us from being tempted to sin,1 or support and deliver us when we are tempted.2
1 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. (Matthew 26:41a).
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. (Psalms 19:13a).
2 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. v12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (Psalms 51:10, 12).
Q107:What doth the conclusion of the Lord's prayer teach us?
A:The conclusion of the Lord's prayer, [which is, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen.] teacheth us, to take our encouragement in prayer from God only,1 and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him.2And in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.3
1 We do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God. (Daniel 9:18b-19a).
2 11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine. v13Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. (1Chronicles 29:11a, 13).
3 Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20b).
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