THE LORD'S PRAYER.
265. What is prayer?
Prayer is the child-like communion of our hearts with God, in which we tell Him all our needs, and earnestly seek some gift from Him.
266. Who should pray?
All should pray; even little children.
267. But can all pray in this manner?
No, not the impenitent; their hearts are not right with God, and they do not seek Him earnestly.
268. In whose name must we pray?
We must pray in the name of Jesus.
John 16:23. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
269. What is meant by praying in the name of Jesus?
To pray in the name of Jesus is to ask on the strength of what He has done for us, and His intercession with the Father.
270. How should we pray?
We should pray humbly, confidently as a child, and reverently.
271. When should we pray?
The attitude of our hearts should be one of constant prayer, and our communion with God should not be confined to certain times and places, but we should speak with Him whenever we feel the need of it.
1 Thess. 5:17. Pray without ceasing.
Eph. 6: 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.
272. For whom should we pray?
We should pray not only for ourselves, but also for others,—even our enemies.
1 Tim. 2:1–3. Matt. 5:44.
273. For what should we pray?
First of all we should pray for the spiritual gifts necessary to our salvation; but we may also pray for other gifts, both spiritual and temporal.
Matt. 6:33. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
1 Cor. 12:31. Covet earnestly the best gifts.
274. What must we always remember when we pray for things not necessary to our salvation?
We must always remember that God alone knows whether such a prayer answered would truly benefit us.
When asking such gifts we should always add, "Lord, if Thou wilt".
Matt. 26:39. Not as I will, but as thou wilt.
275. Who teaches us to pray well?
The Holy Spirit, who is also called the Spirit of prayer.
Rom. 8:26. We know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
276. Which is the most perfect prayer?
The most perfect prayer is the Lord's Prayer, which Christ taught His own disciples.
277. Repeat this prayer.
Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
278. Why would God have us speak to Him as "Our Father"?
God would hereby tenderly invite us to believe that He is truly our Father, and we are truly His children, so that we may ask of Him with all cheerfulness and confidence, as dear children ask of their dear father.
279. Who alone can confidently call God Father?
God's children alone can call God their Father.
280. Why would God have us say "our Father" and not only "my Father"?
Because He would have us pray with one another and for one another, in spiritual fellowship.
281. What is the importance of the words "who art in heaven"?
By these words we are reminded of the exalted love and power of our heavenly Father, far above that of any earthly father.
Matt. 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?
THE FIRST PETITION.
Hallowed be Thy name.
That is,
The name of God is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition that it may be hallowed also among us.
This is done when the Word of God is rightly taught, and when we as the children of God live holy lives in obedience to the Word. This grant us, heavenly Father!
But he that teaches and lives otherwise than the Word of God teaches, profanes the name of God among us. From this preserve us, heavenly Father!
282. What do you pray for in the first petition?
I pray that the name of God may be hallowed among us.
Ps. 72:19. Blessed be his glorious name forever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory.
283. When is the name of God hallowed among us?
When the Word of God is rightly taught and is received into our hearts.
284. When do we hallow the name of God among our fellow men?
We hallow the name of God when we freely confess it before men in accordance with the Word, and when we as God's children live holy lives in obedience to the Word.
Matt. 5:16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matt. 10:32. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
285. Who profanes the name of God?
He that teaches and lives otherwise than the Word of God teaches, profanes the name of God.
Rom. 2:24. [R. V.] The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.
THE SECOND PETITION.
Thy kingdom come.
That is,
The kingdom of God comes indeed of itself, without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come also to us.
This is done when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe the Word of God, and live holy and Christ-like lives here in time, and in heaven forever.
286. What do you pray for in the second petition?
I pray that the kingdom of God may come.
287. What is meant, in a particular sense, by the kingdom of God which you pray for in this petition?
1. The kingdom of grace, in which Christ makes every believer a partaker of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit; and
2. The kingdom of glory in heaven, where the chosen live with Christ in perfect happiness.
288. What is meant by saying that the kingdom of God comes to us?
It means that we become partakers in it.
289. When does the kingdom of God come to us?
The kingdom of God comes to us when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe the Word of God.
290. What does the Holy Spirit work in them who thus by faith have become partakers in the kingdom of God?
They live holy and Christ-like lives here in time, and in heaven forever.
THE THIRD PETITION.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
That is,
The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done also among us.
This is done when God brings to nothing all evil plans and purposes of the devil, the world, and our own flesh, that would hinder the hallowing of His name and the coming of His kingdom.
On the other hand, it is the good and gracious will of God to strengthen us and keep us steadfast in His Word and in faith, until death.
291. What do you pray for in the third petition?
I pray that the will of God may be done among us on earth, as it is in heaven.
292. What is the will of God?
It is the will of God that all His rational creatures should praise Him forever in perfect holiness and happiness.
293. Where is the will of God done in this manner?
In heaven, where the holy angels praise God in undisturbed peace and joy.
Ps. 103:20, 21. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
294. When is the will of God done among us, as it is in heaven?
When God brings to nothing all evil plans and purposes that would hinder the hallowing of His name and the coming of His kingdom, and when God strengthens us and keeps us steadfast in His Word and in faith, until death.
295. Who seek to prevent the will of God from being done among us?
The devil, the world, and our own flesh.
296. Who, on the other hand, will help us to do the will of God?
God, who is merciful and faithful, will Himself help us to do His will.
1 Thess. 5:24. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
THE FOURTH PETITION.
Give us this day our daily bread.
That is,
God gives daily bread indeed without our prayer even to the wicked; but we pray in this petition that He would help us to appreciate His benefits, that we may receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
By daily bread is meant all those things which are needed for our support and well-being in life, as food and clothing, home and property, happy family relations, a good government, favorable weather, peace and health, faithful friends, good neighbors, and the like.
297. What do you pray for in the fourth petition?
I pray God to give me daily bread.
298. What is meant by daily bread?
By daily bread is meant all those things which are needed for our support and well-being in life, as food and clothing, home and property, etc.
299. Of what does the word "daily" remind you?
I must be content with that which God gives me.
Prov. 30:8. Give me neither poverty nor riches: feed me with food convenient for me.
1 Tim. 6:6. Godliness with contentment is great gain.
300. Why are the words "this day" added?
They are added that I should not be anxious for the morrow, but let each day bear its own burdens.
Matt. 6:34.
301. Does God give daily bread to those only who pray for it?
No; He gives daily bread also to the wicked, but they receive it without thanksgiving, and miss His blessing.
Matt. 5:45. He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
302. How should the children of God receive their daily bread?
They should ask God to bless their daily bread, and return Him thanks for it.
Prov. 10: 22. The blessing of the Lord maketh rich.
303. Need we not work for our daily bread when we pray for it every day?
Yes; God wants us to be diligent, each in our calling, trusting in His help.
Gen. 3:19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.
2 Thess. 3: 10. If any would not work, neither should he eat.
THE FIFTH PETITION.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
That is,
We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor, on account of them, deny our prayer; for we are not worthy of anything we ask, neither have we deserved it; but we pray that He would give it to us out of His mercy; for we sin every day, and deserve nothing but punishment.
And we on our part will heartily forgive those who have sinned against us, and return good for evil.
304. What do you pray for in the fifth petition?
I pray God to forgive us our trespasses.
305. What is implied by the word "trespasses"?
Thereby is implied our guilt or debt to God, which we have brought upon ourselves by our sins.
306. Can we feel assured that God will forgive us this debt?
Yes; Jesus Christ has paid for all our sins.
307. Why must the believer ask the forgiveness of sins every day?
Because he sins every day, and is always in need of forgiveness.
308. What do we confess to God in this petition?
We confess that we are not worthy of the least of that which we ask, neither have we deserved it; but we pray that He would give it to us out of His mercy.
309. What do we promise God in this petition, while asking His forgiveness?
We promise to forgive those who trespass against us, and return good for evil.
Luke 6:37. Condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.
Matt. 18:23–35.
THE SIXTH PETITION.
And lead us not into temptation.
That is,
God indeed tempts no one, but we pray in this petition that He would guard and keep us from the devil, the world, and our own flesh, that we fall not, through their deceit, into unbelief, despair, or other sins; but we pray that although we be thus tempted, we may overcome the temptation, and remain victorious.
310. What do you pray for in this petition?
I pray God not to lead us into temptation.
311. What is meant by temptation?
By temptation is meant opportunities that invite to sin.
312. Does God give us such opportunities in order that we may sin?
By no means; God, who is holy and loving, does not tempt any one to sin.
James 1:13. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.
313. Why then does God permit us to be tempted?
God permits us to be tempted in order to try us, and in order that it may be seen whether we have true faith, love, and patience.
Read Gen. 22:1–19.
314. Who, on the other hand, tempt us to sin?
The devil, the world, and our own flesh, tempt us to sin.
315. How does the devil tempt us?
The devil tempts us by putting evil thoughts into our minds.
316. How does the world tempt us?
The world tempts us by threats, attractive invitations, and bad example.
Prov. 1:10. My son if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
317. How does our flesh tempt us?
Our own flesh tempts by its evil desires.
James 1:14. Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
318. Can we ever be free from temptations in this world?
No; the conditions of this present life are such that temptations must follow, and we need them for our bringing up in the kingdom of God.
Matt. 18:7. It must needs be that offences come.
319. What, then, do we mean when we ask God not to lead us into temptation?
We pray that when He finds it good for us to be tempted, He will guard and keep us, so that we may in the end be victorious.
1 Cor. 10:13. God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.
320. What are our weapons against temptation?
We must use the Word of God, watch and pray, and take care not to invite temptation.
Matt. 26:41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.
Eph. 6:13. Take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
THE SEVENTH PETITION.
But deliver us from evil.
That is,
We pray in this petition, in general, that our Father in heaven would deliver us from all evil, affecting body and soul, property and honor, and at last grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this world of sorrow to Himself in heaven.
321. What do you pray for in the seventh petition?
I pray God to deliver us from evil.
322. From what evil do you pray God to deliver us in this petition?
I pray God to deliver us from all sin that still clings to us, and from all the destructive effects of sin upon soul and body, property and honor.
323. Can we expect to be entirely free from all evil while in this world?
No, we cannot; but we pray God in this petition to deliver us more and more from all evil, and at last grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this world of sorrow to Himself in heaven.
Phil. 1:23. I have a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.
324. What are the closing words of the Lord's Prayer?
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
325. Of what do these words remind us?
We should remember that God is able to answer our prayer, and that the glory belongs to Him alone, when we get according to our prayer.
326. What is the meaning of the word "Amen"?
Its meaning is, Surely; so be it.
327. Why is this word added?
It is added in order that I may be fully assured that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him.
328. How can I feel assured of this?
God Himself has commanded us to pray, and has added this promise to hear us: Amen, Amen; that is, Surely; so be it.
329. Does this promise hold good only when we use the Lord's Prayer?
No; God hears every prayer offered up according to His will.
Matt. 7:7. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
330. Does God always answer our prayer as we desire?
No; He often answers our prayer by giving us something else and something better than we ask or think.
Eph. 3:20. God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.
331. Does God answer our prayer at once?
Sometimes; but He often delays His answer in order to strengthen our faith and our hope.
332. In speaking with God, should we only ask for the good things which we like to get?
No; we must also return Him thanks for the blessings which we have received.
Eph. 5: 20. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.