What is the Lord’s Prayer? Luther’s Small Catechism (1529)

This entry is part 45 of 45 in the series What are Catechisms?

All of the questions and answers below are from Luther’s Small Catechism (1529). A few answers in the Small Catechism do reference Luther’s Large Catechism (1529). Be aware that Luther’s Catechisms split what is typically the sixth petition into two parts.

The Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:9b-13 (KJV)

PetitionMatthew 6:9b-13 KJV
PrefaceOur Father which art in heaven,
FirstHallowed be thy name.
SecondThy kingdom come.
ThirdThy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
FourthGive us this day our daily bread.
FifthAnd forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
SixthAnd lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
ConclusionFor thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Preface — Our Father which art in heaven

Our Father who art in heaven. What does this mean?1

With these words God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father.

In what way does the word Father in the Lord’s Prayer encourage us to pray?2

The word Father tells us that God loves us and wants us to pray to Him confidently and without fear (1 John 3:1; Romans 8:15-16; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Hebrews 4:16). Bible narrative: The lost son (Luke 15:11-32).

What does the word our impress upon us when we pray, “Our Father”?3

In Jesus all believers are children of the one Father and should pray with and for one another (Galatians 3:26; James 5:16).

What do the words “who art in heaven” say about God?4

These words assure us that our heavenly Father as Lord over all, has the power to grant our prayers (Psalm 124:8; Luke 1:37; Acts 17:24).

First Petition — Hallowed be thy name

Hallowed be Thy name. What does this mean?5

God’s name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also. How is God’s name kept holy? God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God’s Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father!

What is the connection between this petition and the Second Commandment?6

Both speak about the name of God. “In this petition we pray for exactly the same thing that God demands in the Second Commandment: that His name should not be taken in vain…but used rightly to the praise and glory of God.”  (Exodus 20:7).

What are we asking when we pray that God’s name be made holy?7

Since God’s name is God as He has revealed Himself to us, we cannot make His name holy, but we do pray that He would help us keep His name holy in our lives (Psalm 103:1).

How do we keep God’s name holy?8

We keep God’s name holy

  • when God’s Word is taught among us in its truth and purity (Jeremiah 23:28; John 17:17);
  • when we live according to the Word of God (Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 4:1).

Bible narrative: Zacchaeus resolved to live the Christian life (Luke 19:1-9).

How is God’s name profaned?9

God’s name is profaned, that is, dishonored,

  • when anyone teaches contrary to God’s Word (Jeremiah 23:31);
  • when anyone lives contrary to God’s Word (Romans 2:23-24).

Second Petition — Thy kingdom come

Thy kingdom come. What does this mean?10

The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also.

How does God’s kingdom come?11

God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.

What is the kingdom of God?12

The kingdom of God is His ruling as king over the whole universe (kingdom of power), the church on earth (kingdom of grace), and the church and angels in heaven (kingdom of glory) (Psalm 103:19; John 3:5; 2 Timothy 4:18).

For what do we pray in the Second Petition?13

We do not pray that God’s kingdom of power would come, because that is already present everywhere, but we ask God to

  • give us His Holy Spirit so that we believe His Word and lead godly lives as members of His kingdom of grace (Mark 1:15; Romans 14:17; Colossians 1:13-14);
  • bring many others into His kingdom of grace (Matthew 9:38; 2 Thessalonians 3:1);
  • use us to extend His kingdom of grace (Acts 4:29; 1 Peter 2:12);
  • hasten the coming of His kingdom of glory (Philippians 3:20; revelation 22:20).

How can we be certain that the kingdom of God comes?14

The Lord guarantees that His means of grace establish and sustain His kingdom (Isiah 55:11). Bible narrative: The parable of the growing seed (Mark 4:26-29).

Third Petition — Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. What does this mean?15

The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.

How is God’s will done?16

God’s will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God’s name or let His kingdom come; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die. This is His good and gracious will.

What is the good and gracious will of God?17

It is God’s will that His name be kept holy and that His kingdom come, that is, that His Word be taught correctly and that sinners be brought to faith in Christ and lead godly lives (Deuteronomy 4:2; John 6:40; 1 Timothy 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:3).

Whose will and plans are opposed to the will of God?18

The devil, the world, and our own sinful nature oppose the good and gracious will of God (1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 2:15-17; Romans 7:18).

Why do we pray that the will of God be done?19

We know that the will of God will always be done, but we want God’s good and gracious will to be done in our lives. “As God’s name must be hallowed and His kingdom must come even without our prayer, so must His will be done and prevail even though the devil and all his host storm and rage furiously against it in their at utterly to exterminate the Gospel. But for our own sake we must pray that His will may be done among us without hindrance, in spite of their fury, so that they may accomplish nothing and we may remain steadfast”20 (Psalm 115:3; Psalm 43:3; Philippians 1:21) .

How is God’s will done in our lives?21

God’s will is done when

  • He breaks and hinders the plans of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which try to destroy our faith in Christ Jesus (Romans 16:20; 2 Timothy 1:12);
  • He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith and helps us lead God-pleasing lives (1 Peter 1:5; Psalm 119:35);
  • He supports us in all our troubles until we die (Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 12:9).

Bible narratives: God hindered the evil will of Joseph’s brothers and kept him faithful (Genesis 50:15-21). God would not let the devil destroy Job (Job 1:1-2:6).

Fourth Petition — Give us this day our daily bread

Give us this day our daily bread. What does this mean?22

God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil

people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.

What is meant by daily bread?23

Daily bread includes everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a devout husband or wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self-control, good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.

Why do we pray to God for daily bread?24

We pray to God for daily bread, which includes everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body, because Christ wants us to

  • realize that our entire life and that of everyone else depends on God (Psalm 145:15-16; Matthew 5:45; Acts 17:28; James 4:15);
  • receive all our physical blessings with thanks giving (Psalm 106:1; Ephesians 5:19-20; 1 Timothy 4:4-5);
  • look to God for physical as well as spiritual blessings (Psalm 91:15; Matthew 6:33; Luke 7:3).

Bible narratives: Jesus healed blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52). Jesus healed 10 lepers (Luke 17:11-19).

How does God provide our daily bread?25

He makes the earth fruitful and blesses us with the ability to work for the things we need (Psalm 104:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).

What does God want us to do for those who are unable to work for daily food?26

God does not want us to be selfish but to share with those who are unable to work and to include them in our prayers for daily bread (1 Timothy 5:8; Hebrews 13:16; 1 John 3:17-18).

Why does Jesus have us say “this day” and “daily”?27

These words teach us not to be greedy or wasteful or to worry about the future but to live contentedly in the confidence that the Lord will give us what we need (Proverbs 30:8-9; Matthew 6:34; John 6:12; 1 Timothy 6:8; 1 Peter 5:7). Bible narrative: The parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:15-21).

Fifth Petition — And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. What does this mean? 28

We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. We are neither worthy of the things for which we pray, nor have we deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, for we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.

What do we confess when we pray this petition?29

We confess that we sin every day and deserve nothing but punishment (Proverbs 28:13; Psalm 19:12).

What do we ask for in this petition?30

We ask that our Father in heaven would for Christ’s sake graciously forgive our sins (Psalm 51:1-2; Psalm 130:3-4; Luke 18:13).

Why do we include a prayer for forgiveness of sins in these petitions to our heavenly Father?31

We are not worthy of the things for which we pray and have not deserved them. We therefore need God’s forgiveness so that we may pray to Him confidently and in good conscience. “Where the heart is not right with God … it will never dare to pray…. A confident and joyful heart can come only from the knowledge that our sins are forgiven”32 (Genesis 32:10; Psalm 32:5).

What does God want us to do for those who sin against us?33

Our heavenly Father wants us to forgive and to do good to those who sin against us (Matthew 6:12; Matthew 18:21-22; Ephesians 4:32).

What does it show when we forgive others?34

It shows that we truly believe that God has forgiven us. “Inasmuch as we sin greatly against God every day and yet He forgives it all through grace, we must always forgive our neighbor who does us harm, violence, and injustice [and] bears malice toward us…. If you do not forgive, do not think that God forgives you”35 (Matthew 6:14-15). Bible narratives: Joseph forgave his brothers (Genesis 50:15-21). The parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:23-35).

Sixth Petition — And lead us not into temptation

And lead us not into temptation. What does this mean?36

God tempts no one. We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Although we are attacked by these things, we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory.

What do tempt and temptation mean in the Scriptures?37

In the Scriptures these words have two meanings:

  • The testing of our faith, which God uses to bring us closer to Himself (John 6:5-6; James 1:2-3). Bible narratives: The Lord tested Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19). Jesus tested the faith of the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:2128).
  • The attempts of our spiritual enemies to lure us away from God and His ways (Mark 14:38; James 1:13-14).

Into what kinds of evil do our spiritual enemies try to mislead us?38

The devil, the world, and our sinful nature try to mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great sins (1 Peter 5:8-9; Proverbs 1:10; Matthew 18:7; Galatians 5:17; 2 Corinthians 4:8). Bible narratives: The devil tempted Eve to doubt and disobey God (Genesis 3). The devil tempted Judas to betray Christ (John 13:2) and to despair (Matthew 27:4-5). Among enemies of Christ, Peter denied his Savior (Luke 22:54-60). King David’s sinful nature tempted him to commit adultery and murder (2 Samuel 12:9).

What do we ask God to do for us when we pray this petition?39

We ask our Father in heaven to give us strength to resist and overcome temptations (Luke 22:31-32; Romans 13:14; 1 Corinthians 10:12-13; Ephesians 6:11). Bible narratives: Joseph withstood the temptation of Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:1-20). Jesus was tempted by Satan and won the victory for us (Matthew 4:1-11).

Seventh — but deliver us from evil

But deliver us from evil. What does this mean?40

We pray in this petition, in summary, that our Father in heaven would rescue us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation, and finally, when our last hour comes, give us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.

What kind of prayer is the Seventh Petition?41

The seventh petition is a summary petition in which we ask our Father in heaven to rescue us from the devil and all evil which has come into the world because of sin (Psalm 121:7-8; 2 Thessalonians 3:3).

How does the Lord rescue us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation?42

In a world ruined by sin, the Lord keeps us from harm and he helps us to endure the troubles that He allows to come into our lives (Acts 14:22; Psalm 91:9-10; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Proverbs 3:11-12). Bible narratives: The three men in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3). Daniel in the lions’ den (Daniel 6).

What final deliverance from evil do we ask the Lord to bring to us?43

We want our Father in heaven to keep us faithful Him and when we die to take us from this sorrowful world to Himself in heaven (Luke 2:29-30; 2 Timothy 4:18; Revelation 14:13).

Conclusion — For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. What does this mean?44

This means that I should be certain that these petitions are pleasing to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to hear us. Amen, amen, which means “yes, yes, it shall be so.”

Why do we end the Lord’s Prayer with the word amen?45

The word amen means “so shall it be” and emphasizes that God, who has commanded us to pray, will hear our prayers and answer them as He has promised (Psalm 50:15; Proverbs 15:8; Proverbs 15:29).

How do I know God is able to answer the prayers of His people in Christ Jesus?46

  • He alone is the King who has all good gifts in His control (James 1:17; Psalm 103:2-3).
  • He alone has the power to grant our petitions (Psalm 33:6; Ephesians 3:20-21).
  • He has all glory and is worthy of our praise (Psalm 113:4-5; 1 Timothy 1:17).
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What are Catechisms? (45 articles)

Footnotes

  1. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529)
  2. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 205.
  3. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 206.
  4. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 207.
  5. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529)
  6. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 208.
  7. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 209.
  8. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 210.
  9. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 211.
  10. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529)
  11. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529)
  12. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 212.
  13. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 213.
  14. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 214.
  15. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529).
  16. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529).
  17. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 215.
  18. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 216.
  19. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 217.
  20. Luther’s Large Catechism (1529), 11168 [sic].
  21. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 218.
  22. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529)
  23. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529)
  24. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 219.
  25. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 220.
  26. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 221.
  27. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 220.
  28. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529)
  29. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 223.
  30. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 224.
  31. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 225.
  32. Luther’s Large Catechism (1529), 92. [sic]
  33. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 226.
  34. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 227.
  35. Luther’s Large Catechism (1529), 94-95.
  36. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529)
  37. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 228.
  38. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 229.
  39. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 230.
  40. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529)
  41. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 231.
  42. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 232.
  43. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 233.
  44. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529)
  45. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 234.
  46. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 235.

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