The Lord's Prayer
Westminster Shorter Catechism · Q98–Q107
Q98. What is prayer?
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 acknowledgement of his mercies.
Proof texts
- Ps. 62:8 — [8] Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. <i>Selah</i>
- 1 John 5:14 — [14] And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
- John 16:23 — [23] In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
- Ps. 32:5-6 — [5] I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. <i>Selah</i> [6] Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.
- Dan. 9:4 — [4] I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
- Phil. 4:6 — [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Ps. 62:8 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 6 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q178 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- HC Q116 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Q99. What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?
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.
Proof texts
- 1 John 5:14 — [14] And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
- Matt. 6:9-13 — [9] Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. [10] Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread, [12] and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
- Luke 11:2-4 — [2] And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. [3] Give us each day our daily bread, [4] and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”
For discussion
- The Assembly cited 1 John 5:14 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q178 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q186 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Q100. What doth the preface of the Lord's Prayer teach us?
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, as children to a father, able and ready to help us; and that we should pray with and for others.
Proof texts
- Matt. 6:9 — [9] Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
- Rom. 8:15 — [15] For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
- Luke 11:13 — [13] If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
- Acts 12:5 — [5] So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
- 1 Tim. 2:1-2 — [1] First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, [2] for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matt. 6:9 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 5 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q178 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q189 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Q101. What do we pray for in the first petition?
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.
Proof texts
- Matt. 6:9 — [9] Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
- Ps. 67:2-3 — [2] that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. [3] Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
- Ps. 83 — [1] O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! [2] For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads. [3] They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones. [4] They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!” [5] For they conspire with one accord; against you they make a covenant — [6] the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, [7] Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; [8] Asshur also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. <i>Selah</i> [9] Do to them as you did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, [10] who were destroyed at En-dor, who became dung for the ground. [11] Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, [12] who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves of the pastures of God.” [13] O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind. [14] As fire consumes the forest, as the flame sets the mountains ablaze, [15] so may you pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your hurricane! [16] Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD. [17] Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, [18] that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matt. 6:9 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q178 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q190 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Q102. What do we pray for in the second petition?
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.
Proof texts
- Matt. 6:10 — [10] Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
- Ps. 68:1,18 — [1] God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him! [18] You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.
- Rev. 12:10-11 — [10] And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. [11] And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
- 2 Thess. 3:1 — [1] Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,
- Rom. 10:1 — [1] Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.
- John 17:9,20 — [9] I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. [20] “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
- Rev. 22:20 — [20] He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matt. 6:10 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 7 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q178 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q191 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Q103. What do we pray for in the third petition?
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 in all things, as the angels do in heaven.
Proof texts
- Matt. 6:10 — [10] Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
- Ps. 67 — [1] May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, <i>Selah</i> [2] that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. [3] Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! [4] Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. <i>Selah</i> [5] Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! [6] The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. [7] God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!
- Ps. 119:36 — [36] Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
- Matt. 26:39 — [39] And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
- 2 Sam. 15:25 — [25] Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place.
- Job 1:21 — [21] And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
- Ps. 103:20-21 — [20] Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! [21] Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matt. 6:10 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 7 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q178 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q192 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Q104. What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
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.
Proof texts
- Matt. 6:11 — [11] Give us this day our daily bread,
- Prov. 30:8-9 — [8] Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, [9] lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.
- Gen. 28:20 — [20] Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear,
- 1 Tim. 4:4-5 — [4] For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, [5] for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matt. 6:11 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 4 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q178 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q193 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Q105. What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
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 the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.
Proof texts
- Matt. 6:12 — [12] and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
- Ps. 51:1-2,7,9 — [1] Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. [2] Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! [7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. [9] Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
- Dan. 9:17-19 — [17] Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. [18] O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. [19] O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”
- Luke 11:4 — [4] and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”
- Matt. 18:35 — [35] So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matt. 6:12 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 5 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q178 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q194 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Q106. What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
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.
Proof texts
- Matt. 6:12 — [12] and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
- Matt. 26:41 — [41] Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
- 2 Cor. 12:7-8 — [7] So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matt. 6:12 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q178 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q195 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Q107. What doth the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer teach us?
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.
Proof texts
- Matt. 6:13 — [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
- Dan. 9:4-9,16-19 — [4] I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, [5] we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. [6] We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. [7] To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. [8] To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. [9] To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him [16] “O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. [17] Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. [18] O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. [19] O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”
- 1 Chr. 29:10-13 — [10] Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. [11] Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. [12] Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. [13] And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
- 1 Cor. 14:16 — [16] Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?
- Rev. 22:20-21 — [20] He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! [21] The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matt. 6:13 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 5 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WLC Q178 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q196 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?