Monday

Day 148: The Lord's Prayer, part 1


Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.184. For what things are we to pray?
A. We are to pray for all things tending to the glory of God [e], the welfare of the church [f], our own [g] or others, good [h]; but not for anything that is unlawful [i].

We are to pray for all things tending to the glory of God [e],

[e] Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

the welfare of the church [f],

[f] Psalm 51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

our own [g]

[g] Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

or others, good [h];

[h] Psalm 125:4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

but not for anything that is unlawful [i].

[i] 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:


Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 99. What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?
A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer [r]; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called "The Lord's Prayer." [s].

[r] 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.

[s] Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father, etc.
Compared with Luke 11:2,3,4 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father, etc.


Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.186. What rule hath God given for our direction in the duty of prayer?
A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in the duty of prayer [a]; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which our Savior Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord’s Prayer [b].

[a] 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

[b] Matthew 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father etc.
Luke 11:2,3,4 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father etc.


Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.187. How is the Lord’s Prayer to be used?
A. The Lord’s Prayer is not only for direction, as a pattern, according to which we are to make other prayers; but may also be used as a prayer, so that it be done with understanding, faith, reverence, and other graces necessary to the right performance of the duty of prayer [c].

[c] Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Compared with
Luke 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. (See above in letter [#b].)


Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.188. Of how many parts doth the Lord’s Prayer consist?
A. The Lord’s Prayer consists of three parts; a preface, petitions, and a conclusion.


Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 100. 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 [t]",) teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us [v]; and that we should pray with and for others [w].

[t] Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name.

[v] Romans 8:15 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.
Luke 11:13 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?

[w] Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
1 Tim. 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; Ver.2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.


Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.189. What doth the preface of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?
A. The preface of the Lord’s Prayer (contained in these words, Our Father which art in heaven [d],) teacheth us, when we pray, to draw near to God with confidence of his fatherly goodness, and our interest therein [e]; with reverence, and all other childlike dispositions [f], heavenly affections [g], and due apprehensions of his sovereign power, majesty, and gracious condescension [h]: as also, to pray with and for others [i].

The preface of the Lord’s Prayer (contained in these words, Our Father which art in heaven [d],)

[d] Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

teacheth us, when we pray, to draw near to God with confidence of his fatherly goodness, and our interest therein [e];

[e] Luke 11:13 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?
Romans 8:15 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.

with reverence, and all other childlike dispositions [f],

[f] Isaiah 64:9 Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.

heavenly affections [g],

[g] Psalm 123:1 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
Lamentations 3:41 Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.

and due apprehensions of his sovereign power, majesty, and gracious condescension [h]:

[h] Isaiah 63:15-16 Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained? Ver.16 Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.
Nehemiah 1:4-6 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, Ver.5 And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Ver.6 Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned.

as also, to pray with and for others [i].

[i] Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.


Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 101. What do we pray for in the first petition?
A. In the first petition, (which is, "Hallowed be thy name [x]",) we pray, That God would enable us and others to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself known [y]; and that he would dispose all things to his own glory [z].

[x] Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name.

[y] Psalm 67:2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Ver.3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

[z] Psalm 83 throughout.


End of Lesson, Day 148


For Further Study:

Shorter Catechism Question 99

Question 100

Question 101

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