aaa

Shorter Catechism Q & A #107

Q. 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, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him. And in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.

Memorize Q&A—Exposition

Christ’s Kingdom is a true kingdom, overriding all other kingdoms of this earth. He is sovereign Lord, King and Head of the Church. Christ is also “Prince of kings,” under whose rule all earthly authorities and nations must obey. We are to attribute to Christ that which he already has: kingdom, power, and glory.

What does it mean?

How is God’s kingdom (royal dominion), power (inherent power, authority), and glory (honor and praise for who he truly is) revealed in the following Scriptures?

• Daniel 9:18–19
• Luke 17:21
• Mark 5:27–33
• Ephesians 1:17–23
• 1 Chronicles 29:10–13
• 1 Peter 4:11
• John 17:1

What is our practice?

We must not be ashamed of our King and Savior, claiming him to be Lord of home, church, work, and civil government. We apply the moral law, honesty, kindness, etc, in our behavior and witness.

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“Are we in prayer to praise God? Yes: Every day will I bless thee, Ps. 145. Are we to ascribe kingdom, power, and glory to him? Yes: Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sits upon the throne, Rev.5:13. Must we acknowledge them to be his? Yes: Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty, 1 Chron. 29:11. Must we acknowledge them to be his forever? Yes: Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, Ps. 145:13. And must we desire to be forever praising him? Yes: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being, Ps. 104:33. Is the work of praise good work? Yes: it is pleasant, and praise is comely, Ps. 147: 1.” (Matthew Henry)

View table of contents

aaa

Shorter Catechism Q & A #106

Q. 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, or support and deliver us when we are tempted.

Memorize Q&A—Exposition

The sixth petition teaches us that it is God alone who is able to keep us from transgressing his law, and that the Spirit, by his Scriptures, is alone able to deliver us from the temptations of this world. The wicked desire the termination of the Church, hating the Christ and the Word which reveals the truth of Creation and Redemption.

What does it mean?

Definitions:

“Temptation”—a testing, to prove. The Lord tests us for the purpose of making us strong. The devil ‘tempts’ us that we might practice evil. (1 Cor. 10:13)

“Evil”—making moral or ethical judgments, malice, and malicious activity. This amounts to a battle. Discuss temptation and evil. (1 Cor. 10:13 and Eph. 6:10–18)

“If the Lord aids us by his mighty power, we have not reason to shrink from combat” (Calvin).

What do the following Scripture verses teach us about praying for support and deliverance when we are tempted?

• Matt. 26:41
• Ps. 19:13
• Ps. 51:10, 12

What is our practice?

Practicing the study of God’s Word with prayer, that we may wear the strength of the armor of God, prepared for the war that wages around us and within (Eph. 6:10–18).

Quotes for thought and discussion:

Evil is damaging and worthless, ever increasing in its wickedness in and through evil men and impostors who “grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). We, therefore, pray: “That God does not allow us to fall into evil, or permit us to be overcome by the devil, and the lustful desires of our flesh, which strive against us (Rom. 7:23), but He gives us strength to resist, sustains us by His hand, and takes us into His safe keeping, to defend and lead us.” (John Calvin’s Catechism)

“The sixth petition is, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” or, as some would translate, “from the evil one.” Here we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support us when we are tempted. Here we also confess our own weakness and proneness to go astray, and we pray that God would so subdue and restrain us, and order all things about us, that we may be saved from temptation, or so succored in it that we do not fall into sin, or if we do happen to fall, that we may speedily repent, and be recovered and restored.” (Francis R. Beattie)

View table of contents

aaaaa

Shorter Catechism Q & A #105

Q. 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—which we are encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.

Memorize Q&A—Exposition

The objective of forgiveness is to, through confession and pardon, bring about a renewed fellowship between God and ourselves, and between one another. Forgiveness reveals the efficacy of prayer. “Forgiveness” (Gr. Aphesis) means to pardon, to cause to stand away, that is, to be released from the power of sin by the work of Christ upon the cross.

What does it mean?

Discuss the following verses and relationship between forgiveness and Christ:

• Acts 5:31 (repentance = a reformation, turning)
• Eph. 1:6-7 (accepted)
• Col. 1:12–14 (delivered)

How do the prayers of David and Daniel help us to understand the meaning of pardon and grace?

• Ps. 51:1–2, 7, 9
• Dan. 9:17–19.

What does “as we forgive our debtors” mean in relationship to our asking our Father to “forgive us our debts”?

• Matt. 6:12 (‘debts’ = offense, trespass, which makes recompense necessary)
• Luke 11:4 (‘sins’ = offense against God, missing the true purpose)
• Matt. 18:35 (a sin involving guilt)

What is our practice?

Make an extra effort to practice forgiving and being forgiven as Christ forgave us. Remember that our desire is to maintain a fellowship for which Christ paid a ransom price upon the Cross of Calvary.

Quotes for thought and discussion:

The result of our confession of sins is the forgiveness of sins, by which our relationship with God, and with one another, is healed and maintained. Jay Adams writes, “Confession, then involves (1) personal recognition of guilt and liability, and (2) formal admission of this to God and any others wronged.

It leads, quite naturally, to asking forgiveness from God and those others who may have been wronged, followed by the granting of forgiveness and the establishing of a new and better relationship to them.” (More Than Redemption) “The fifth petition is, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Here we pray that God would, for Christ’s sake, freely pardon our sins, and that we may be able from the heart to forgive others. Here we also confess that we are guilty sinners before God and hopeless debtors to the divine justice, and we pray that, through the satisfaction of Christ applied by faith, God would pardon and acquit us, and continue to do so, filling us with peace and joy, and prompting and enabling us to forgive our fellowmen.” (Francis R. Beattie, Presbyterian Standards)

View table of contents

aaa

Shorter Catechism Q & A #104

Q. 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, and enjoy his blessing with them.

Memorize Q&A—Exposition

The receiving of our daily bread reveals our trust in God. The Heidelberg Catechism teaches us to pray that God “…be pleased to provide us with all things necessary for [125] the body,

that we may thereby acknowledge thee to be the only fountain of all good, and that neither our care nor industry, nor even thy gifts, can profit us without thy blessings, and therefore that we may withdraw our trust from all creatures, and place it alone in thee.”

What does it mean?

What understanding of ‘our daily bread’ is given to us in Proverbs 30:7–9? -Discuss how vanity and envy feed our anxiety, overshadowing God’s law, justice, grace, joy, and peace. (Compare with Matt. 6:31–34) How are we to receive the blessings of each day?—1 Tim. 4:4–5.

What is our practice?

“Our Lord has called us to prayer, and he will answer according to his promises and loving-kindness. In prayer we rest upon the Lord who lovingly holds us in his hands as we are calling upon him. …Prayer is the hand God has granted us on earth to receive the blessings of heaven. Let us, therefore, come to prayer with the joy of thanksgiving, for the fruits of the day are but the showers of our Father’s sweet mercy.” (LaMay, He Hears My Voice)

Quotes for thought and discussion:

Thomas Watson wrote, “If all be a gift, then take notice of God’s goodness. There is nothing in us that can deserve or requite God’s kindness; yet such is the sweetness of his nature, that he gives us such provision and feeds us with the finest of the wheat.” (The Lord’s Prayer) “We pray, ‘Give it to us; not to me only, but to others in common with me.’ This teaches us charity, and a compassionate concern for the poor and needy. It intimates also, that we ought to pray with our families; we and our households eat together, and therefore ought to pray together.” (Matthew Henry, Matthew Commentary)

View table of contents

aaa

Shorter Catechism Q & A #103

Q. 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, and submit to his will all things, as the angels do in heaven.

Memorize Q&A—Exposition

The emphasis in this petition is on the will or desire of the Triune God; which speaks of his decree, purpose, or choice. Acknowledging that Christ’s kingdom has come and is being built and advancing, we desire that we will be able and willing servants of the King. He who is “prince of the kings of this earth,” has prepared us to be “kings and priests unto God” (Rev. 1:5–6), that we might faithfully submit to his will.

What does it mean?

What do we ask for that we may be made able to know, obey, and submit to God’s will in all things?

• Ps. 119:34–36—understanding leads to obedience; walking in the way of God’s commandments; incline our hearts to God’s testimony.
• Matt.26:39—Obedience to God’s will is a covenant practice.
• 2 Sam.15:25—God’s will is recognized in those who find favor in him.
• Job 1:21—God’s will is accomplished in all things.
• Ps. 103:20–22—Discuss the nature of the will of God.

What is our practice?

We come to our Father in heaven expecting him to carry out his plan and purpose in and through us. As Christians, we walk by faith. In so doing we submit ourselves to our King, having as our ambition, “to be pleasing to him” (2 Cor. 5:7–9). Thomas Vincent wrote: “We pray that God’s will may be done by ourselves and others on earth, universally, readily, unweariedly, constantly, even as it is done in heaven” (Shorter Catechism explained)

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“Do the angels in heaven do the will of God? Yes: they do his commandments, hearkening to the voice of his word, Ps. 103:20. Do they do it readily? Yes: they fly swiftly, Dan. 9:21. Do they do it zealously? Yes: for they are a flaming fire, Ps. 104:4. Do they do it with an eye to God? Yes: for they always behold the face of our Father, Matt. 18:10. And are we to pray that God’s will may so be done on earth? Yes: that the kingdoms of this world may become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, Rev. 11:15.” (Matthew Henry, A Scripture Catechism)

View table of contents

aaa

Shorter Catechism Q & A #102

Q. 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; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.

Memorize Q&A—Exposition

The Power and Presence of Christ the King: “When Christ Jesus declared, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand’ (Mark 1:15), He was telling us that a piercing light had come into the world of darkness (1 Peter 2:9). This light was the kingdom of grace that would be set within the heart of every believer, manifested through the visible body, the church, permeating every tongue and nation, a kingdom of ‘righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit’ (Rom.14:17).” (LaMay, He Hears My Voice)

What does it mean?

Discuss the meaning of “Satan’s kingdom” in relationship with Christ the Son: Ps. 68:1, 18; Ps. 2

Discuss the meaning of “kingdom of grace” and its advancement: Rev.12:10–11; Ps.67:1–3; Rev. 1:5-6

Discuss the Christians entrance into the kingdom: John 17:9, 20; Rom. 10:1; John 14:1–6.

Discuss the hastening of the kingdom of glory: Rev. 12:10–11; 2 Peter 3:11–13.

What is our practice?

We take an active part, by the Spirit and his Word, to promote moral and righteous conduct in our lives, our homes, our work, and in the communities of civil government. This means an involvement as heads of households, under-shepherds in the church, teaching Biblical truth in education, leadership in government as the Lord gives us gifts, talents, and strength.

Quotes for thought and discussion:

William Symington wrote (Messiah the Prince) that Christ “thus appears, wearing, not only the crown of dominion over the church, but that of dominion over the kingdoms of nature, providence, and grace—over things physical and moral, rational and irrational, animate and inanimate. Things in heaven, in earth, and under the earth, are thus seen to be put under his feet. His kingdom ruleth over all. Ye saints of the most High! Subscribe to him the glory that is due.”

“Christ’s appointment give him a rightful claim to the implicit and conscientious obedience of every moral creature. ‘Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the truth of God perfected’ (1 John 2:3-5). It is as mediatorial King that all his commandments are given, and in this capacity is it that he is to be obeyed. Let men be convinced of this. He is no usurper. Great must be the guilt of refusing him submission; it is to resist lawful authority, to reject the appointment of God.”

View table of contents

aaaa

Shorter Catechism Q & A #101

Q. 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; and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.

Memorize Q&A—Exposition

What do we pray for when we say “Hallowed be thy name”?

Hallow = means to sanctify or set apart the person of God. That we honor him as Creator and Redeemer in all areas of life, as he has revealed himself in Scripture; and that he is most present in our faith and practice.

What does it mean?

Discuss:

1. Giving God the praise: 2 Sam. 7:22-26, Ps. 93:1, 145:5.
2. God enables us and others to glorify him, as he makes himself known: Psalm 67:1–3, 2 Thess. 3:1.
3. God orders all things to his own glory: Isa. 64:1–2, Rom. 11:36

What is our practice?

“Do we pray that God would bring glory to himself out of all events? Yes: To thy name give glory, Ps. 115:1. Even out of those events that seem contrary? Yes: that the wrath of man may praise him, Ps. 76:10. Must we desire it concerning ourselves? Yes: that we may be unto him for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory, Jer. 13:11. And concerning all our affairs? Yes: That Christ may be magnified in my body both by life and death, Phil. 1:20” (Matthew Henry).

This practice reveals that we are not ashamed of the person of our Lord and Savior, and that he alone is the moral strength of his church, in our homes, and in education and civil government.

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“We pray that God’s name may shine forth gloriously, and that it may be honoured and sanctified by us, in the whole course and tenor of our lives. It was the angel’s song, ‘glory to God in the highest;’ that is, let his name be glorified and hallowed … the hallowing of God’s name will be of great use and request in heaven; we shall be ever singing hallelujahs, which is nothing else but the hallowing of God’s name. Every person in the blessed Trinity, God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, must have this honour, to be hallowed; their glory being equal, and their majesty co-eternal.” (Thomas Watson, The Lord’s Prayer)

“It is written that apart from Christ we can do nothing and in Christ we can do all things. That is that it is the very power of God flowing through us that performs that which is against the sinful nature of fallen man. Just as we would admit I suspect that it is only of God and His working through us that we see miracles of God happen, it is just as much grace by God (Eph. 2:8). It is a true statement then that prayer is the only source of power for the believer, and yet what an awesome power that is for it brings to us the power of the awesome God of all creation.” (Chuck Baynard, The Westminster Catechism II)

View table of contents

aaa

Shorter Catechism Q & A #100

Q. 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 reverences and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us; and that we should pray with and for others.

Memorize Q&A—Exposition

Prayer is a divine fellowship with our heavenly Father, enabling us by the Spirit to draw near to our Creator and Savior with confidence as his very own children. We pray “Our” Father, revealing that when we pray, we do so in the fellowship of the whole church, acknowledging that our praise and requests, etc. have a profound and grace effect on the whole body.

What does it mean?

What does “Our Father which art in heaven” teach us?

We are able to draw near to God as children to our Father. (Isa. 64:9, Rom. 8:15)

We are to draw near to God with reverence. (Zech. 8:21, Ps. 11:4, 1 Tim. 2:8)

We are to draw near to God with confidence. (Luke 11:9–13)

Our Father is always able and ready to help us. (Eph. 6:18)

We are to pray with and for others. (Acts 12:5, 1 Tim. 2:1–2)

What is our practice?

We pray with the knowledge that God is our Father. We also pray with others in mind; for to pray “OUR” is to say that what we pray for affects the whole body of Christ, the whole family. Through the Word of God, we develop a great desire to pray as Christ taught us to pray.

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“We know God is our Father by having the conduct of the Holy Spirit. We are led by the Spirit. ‘As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.’ Rom. 8:14. God’s Spirit does not only quicken us in our regeneration, but leads us on till we come to the end of our faith.” (Thomas Watson, The Lord’s Prayer)

“The Lord’s Prayer recalls to our minds the picture of Adam and Eve walking in the Garden and talking with their Creator, reminding us that we were created in His image. In the Lord’s prayer we see the triumph of the Cross reconciling us to our Father through the Son. Wherefore, the Holy Spirit witnessing to our spirit, we cry out, ‘Abba Father!’” (Robert LaMay, He Hears My Voice)

View table of contents

aaa

Shorter Catechism Q & A # 99

Q. What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?

A. The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord’s Prayer.

Memorize Q&A (including the Lord’s Prayer)—Exposition

Prayer is our communication with our Father in heaven, in the name of Christ who broke the wall of separation by the shedding of blood, with the Spirit whereby we cry out, “Abba Father.” It is a communication which responds to God’s word to us, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. Therefore, Scripture reveals the manner in which we should pray.

What does it mean?

The whole Word of God (Scriptures of the Old and New Testament) teaches us how to pray.

What is meant by ‘rule of direction’? (Illustrated by Num. 21:18, Prov. 3:6, 16:9)

How do we learn of the will of God? (1 John 5:14)

Christ gave his disciples a special form of prayer. List the different parts of The Lord’s Prayer. (Matthew 6:9–13)

What is our practice?

We prepare our prayer life by carefully reading the Psalms, which both motivate and give substance to our prayers. Our prayers mature as they become more and more conformed to the prayer that our Lord has taught us. Our prayers ought to witness to the truth that God is our Father.

Quotes for thought and discussion:

Thomas Watson wrote: Let us have a great esteem of the Lord’s Prayer; let it be the model and pattern of all our prayers. There is a double benefit arising from framing our petitions suitably to this prayer. Hereby error in prayer is prevented. It is not easy to write wrong after this copy; we cannot easily err when we have our pattern before us. Hereby mercies requested are obtained; for the apostle assures us that God will hear us when we pray ‘according to his will.’ 1 John 5: 14. And sure we pray according to his will when we pray according to the pattern he has set us. So much for the introduction to the Lord’s Prayer, ‘After this manner pray ye.’

A good man was told one day by a girl of prayer, ‘When I was a child my mother taught me to pray, but now the Lord makes me.’ Being asked how she knew the Lord’s teaching from that of her mother, her reply was: ‘The Lord makes me both to rejoice and weep; He makes my heart glad, and gives me new words.’ (John Whitecross, Illustrated)

View table of contents

aaaa

Shorter Catechism Q & A #98

Q. What is prayer?

A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.

Memorize Q&A—Exposition

Let us so learn to pray that our words and petitions would reflect the glory of our Savior. Let us give praise to our Advocate by consciously placing our prayers in His hands to be delivered to our Father who is in heaven. John Bunyan wrote, “Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to the Word, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God.”

What does it mean?

Prayer is an offering to God: Psalm 62:8

Prayer asks for things agreeable to God’s will: 1 John 5:14

Prayer speaks to the Father in the name of Christ the Son: John 16:23, Heb. 10:19–22

What is our practice?

Prayer is made upon the knees of humility before God, confessing our sins (Ps.32:5-6, Dan. 9:4, Ps. 51:1–4).

We acknowledge, in prayer, that all things come by the mercy of God (Phil. 4:6, with thanksgiving; Ps. 149:4, God’s good pleasure; Gal. 3:29, precious promises; Eph. 1:7, God’s rich grace).

The eyes of our hearts must rest squarely upon our Father, in Christ, just as we make eye contact with our loved ones in conversation.

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“God is not weary of giving; the springs of mercy are ever running. He not only dispensed blessings in former ages, but he gives gifts to us; … The honeycomb of God’s bounty is still

dropping.” (Thomas Watson)

I commend to Thee my spirit: Psalm 31:5 “It is true that David said that, being in the midst of dangers. As if he said, ‘Lord, hold me in Thy protection; for my soul is as it were between my hands; it is there as it were fluttering. For I see myself exposed to all hazards; my life is as it were hanging from a thread. It does not remain, then, unless Thou takest me into Thy keeping.’ That is how David by this prayer constituted God as his Protector. However, he did not leave it until death itself to call upon God, and to be assured that always God is the Savior of His elect, not only to maintain and guard them in this world, but also when He withdraws them to Himself. For the principal guard that God keeps over us is that being withdrawn from this world we are hidden under His wings to rejoice in His presence, as St. Paul speaks of it in 2 Corinthians 4:3).” (John Calvin, Sermon on Deity of Christ)

View table of contents