What is the Lord’s Prayer? Baptist Catechism

Lord’s Prayer

What does the preface of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?¹

The preface of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, “Our Father, which art in heaven,” teaches 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 (Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:13; Romans 8:15; Acts 12:5; 1 Timothy 2:1-3).

What do we pray for in the first petition?²

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 makes Himself known, and that He would dispose all things to His own glory (Matthew 6:9; Psalm 67:1-3; Romans 11:36; Revelation 4:11).

What do we pray for in the second petition?³

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 (Matthew 6:10; Psalm 68:1-18; Romans 10:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Matthew 9:37-38; Revelation 22:20).

What do we pray for in the third petition?⁴

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 (Matthew 6:10; Psalm 103:20-21; Psalm 25:4-5; Psalm 119:26).

What do we pray for in the fourth petition?⁵

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 (Matthew 6:11; Proverbs 30:8-9; 1 Timothy 6:6-8; 4:4-5).

What do we pray for in the fifth petition?⁶

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. (Matthew 6:12; Psalm 51:1,3,7; Mark 11:25; Matthew 18:35)

What do we pray for in the sixth petition?⁷

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 (Matthew 6:13; 26:41; Psalm 19:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13; John 17:15).

What does the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?⁸

The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen,” teaches 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 (Matthew 6:13; Daniel 9:18,19; 1 Chronicles 29:11-13; 1 Corinthians 14:16; Philippians 4:6; Revelation 22:20).

1. Baptist Catechism (1677), Question 111.
2. Baptist Catechism (1677), Question 112.
3. Baptist Catechism (1677), Question 113.
4. Baptist Catechism (1677), Question 114.
5. Baptist Catechism (1677), Question 115.
6. Baptist Catechism (1677), Question 116.
7. Baptist Catechism (1677), Question 117.
8. Baptist Catechism (1677), Question 118.