What is the Lord’s Prayer? Geneva Catechism (1545)

All of the questions and answers below are from the Geneva Catechism (1545).

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

Petition	Matthew 6:9b-13 KJV
Preface	Our Father which art in heaven,
First	Hallowed be thy name.
Second	Thy kingdom come.
Third	Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Fourth	Give us this day our daily bread.
Fifth	And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Sixth	And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
Conclusion	For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Preface — Our Father which art in heaven

Let us now proceed to an explanation of the words; and, first, Why is the name of Father, rather than any other, here given to God?¹

As security of conscience is one of the most essential requisites for praying aright, God assumes this name, which suggests only the idea of pure kindness, that having thus banished all anxiety from our minds, he may invite us to make a familiar approach to him.

Shall we then dare to go to him directly without hesitation as children to parents?²

Wholly so: nay, with much surer confidence of obtaining what we ask. For as our Master reminds us (Matthew 7:11), if we being evil cannot however refuse good things to our children, nor bear to send them empty away, nor give them poison for bread, how much greater kindness is to be expected from our heavenly Father, who is not only supremely good, but goodness itself?

May we not from this name also draw the inference which we mentioned at the outset, viz., that to be approved, all our prayers should be founded on the intercession of Christ? (John 15:7; Romans 8:15)³

And indeed a most valid inference. For God regards us as sons, only in so far as we are members of Christ.

Why do you call God “our Father” in common, rather than “my Father” in particular?⁴

Each believer may indeed call him his own Father, but the Lord used the common epithet that he might accustom us to exercise charity in our prayers, and that we might not neglect others, by each caring only for himself.

What is meant by the additional clause, that God is in heaven?⁵

It is just the same as if I were to call him exalted, mighty, incomprehensible.

To what end this, and for what reason?⁶

In this way we are taught when we pray to him to raise our minds aloft, and not have any carnal or earthly thoughts of him, nor measure him by our own little standard, lest thinking too meanly of him, we should wish to bring him into subjection to our will, instead of learning to look up with fear and reverence to his glorious Majesty. It tends to excite and confirm our confidence in him, when he is proclaimed to be the Lord and Governor of heaven, ruling all things at his pleasure.

First Petition — Hallowed be thy name

Repeat to me the substance of the first petition.⁷

By the name of God, Scripture denotes the knowledge and fame with which he is celebrated among men. We pray then that his glory may be promoted everywhere, and in all.

But can anything be added to his glory, or taken from it?⁸

In itself it neither increases nor is diminished. But we pray as is meet, that it may be illustrious among men — that in whatever God does, all his works may appear, as they are, glorious, that he himself may by all means be glorified.

Second Petition — Thy kingdom come

What understand you by the kingdom of God in the second petition?⁹

It consists chiefly of two branches — that he would govern the elect by his Spirit — that he would prostrate and destroy the reprobate who refuse to give themselves up to his service, thus making it manifest that nothing is able to resist his might.

In what sense do you pray that this kingdom may come?¹⁰

That the Lord would daily increase the numbers of the faithful — that he would ever and anon load them with new gifts of his Spirit, until he fill them completely: moreover, that he would render his truth more clear and conspicuous by dispelling the darkness of Satan, that he would abolish all iniquity, by advancing his own righteousness.

Are not all these things done every day?¹¹

They are done so far that the kingdom of God may be said to be commenced. We pray, therefore, that it may constantly increase and be carried forward, until it attain its greatest height, which we only hope to take place on the last day on which God alone, after reducing all creatures to order, will be exalted and pre-eminent, and so be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:28)

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

What mean you by asking that the will of God may be done?¹²

That all creatures may be subdued into obedience to him, and so depend on his nod, that nothing may be done except at his pleasure.

Do you think then that anything can be done against his will?¹³

We not only pray that what he has decreed with himself may come to pass, but also that all contumacy being tamed and subjugated, he would subject all wills to his own, and frame them in obedience to it.

Do we not by thus praying surrender our own wills?¹⁴

Entirely: nor do we only pray that he would make void whatever desires of ours are at variance with his own will, but also that he would form in us new minds and new hearts, so that we may wish nothing of ourselves, but rather that his Spirit may preside over our wishes, and bring them into perfect unison with God.

Why do you pray that this may be done on earth as it is in heaven?¹⁵

As the holy angels, who are his celestial creatures, have it as their only object to obey him in all things, to be always obedient to his word, and prepared voluntarily to do him service, we pray for such prompt obedience in men, that each may give himself up entirely to him in voluntary subjection.

Fourth Petition — Give us this day our daily bread

Let us now come to the second part. What mean you by the “daily” bread you ask for?¹⁶

In general everything that tends to the preservation of the present life, not only food or clothing, but also all other helps by which the wants of outward life are sustained; that we may eat our bread in quiet, so far as the Lord knows it to be expedient.

But why do you ask God to give what he orders us to provide by our own labour?¹⁷

Though we are to labour, and even sweat in providing food, we are not nourished either by our own labour, or our own industry, or our own diligence, but by the blessing of God by which the labour of our hands, that would otherwise be in vain, prospers. Moreover we should understand that even when abundance of food is supplied to our hand, and we eat it, we are not nourished by its substance, but by the virtue of God alone. It has not any inherent efficacy in its own nature, but God supplies it from heaven as the instrument of his own beneficence. (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4)

But by what right do you call it your bread when you ask God to give it?¹⁸

Because by the kindness of God it becomes ours, though it is by no means due to us. We are also reminded by this term to refrain from counting the bread of others and to be contented with that which has come to us in a legitimate manner as from the hand of God.

Why do you add both “daily” and “this day?”¹⁹

By these two terms we are taught moderation and temperance, that our wishes may not exceed the measure of necessity.

As this prayer ought to be common to all, how can the rich, who have abundance at home, and have provision laid up for a long period, ask it to be given them for a day?²⁰

The rich, equally with the poor, should remember that none of the things which they have will do them good, unless God grant them the use of them, and by his grace make the use fruitful and efficacious. Wherefore while possessing all things, we have nothing except in so far as we every hour receive from the hand of God what is necessary and sufficient for us.

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

What does the fifth petition contain?²¹

That the Lord would pardon our sins.

Can no mortal be found so righteous as not to require this pardon?²²

Not one. When Christ gave this form of prayer, he designed it for the whole Church. Wherefore he who would exempt himself from this necessity, must leave the society of the faithful. And we have the testimony of Scripture, namely, that he who would contend before God to clear himself in one thing, will be found guilty in a thousand. (Job 9:3) The only refuge left for all is in his mercy.

How do you think that sins are forgiven us?²³

As the words of Christ express, namely, that they are debts which make us liable, to eternal death, until God of his mere liberality deliver us.

You say then that it is by the free mercy of God that we obtain the pardon of sins?²⁴

Entirely so. For were the punishment of only one sin, and that the least, to be ransomed, we could not satisfy it. All then must be freely overlooked and forgiven.

What advantage accrues to us from this forgiveness?²⁵

We are accepted, just as if we were righteous and innocent, and at the same time our consciences are confirmed in a full reliance on his paternal favour, assuring us of salvation.

Does the appended condition, viz., that he would forgive us as we forgive our debtors, mean that we merit pardon from God by pardoning men who have in any way offended us?²⁶

By no means. For in this way forgiveness would not be free nor founded alone on the satisfaction which Christ made for us on the cross. But as by forgetting the injuries done to ourselves, we, while imitating his goodness and clemency, demonstrate that we are in fact his children, God wishes us to confirm it by this pledge; and at the same time shows us, on the other hand, that if we do not show ourselves easy and ready to pardon, nothing else is to be expected of him than the highest inexorable rigor of severity.

Do you say then that all who cannot from the heart forgive offenses are discarded by God and expunged from his list of children, so that they cannot hope for any place of pardon in heaven?²⁷

So I think, in accordance with the words, “With what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again.”

Sixth Petition — And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

Do you include all this in one petition?²⁸

It is only one petition; for the latter clause is an explanation of the former.

What does it contain in substance?²⁹

That the Lord would not permit us to rush or fall into sin — that he would not leave us to be overcome by the devil and the desires of our flesh, which wage constant war with us — that he would rather furnish us with his strength to resist, sustain us by his hand, cover and fortify us by his protection, so that under his guardianship and tutelage we may dwell safely.

How is this done?³⁰

When governed by his Spirit we are imbued with such a love and desire of righteousness, as to overcome the flesh, sin, and Satan; and, on the other hand, with such a hatred of sin as may keep us separated from the world in pure holiness. For our victory consists in the power of the Spirit.

Have we need of this assistance?³¹

Who can dispense with it? The devil is perpetually hovering over us, and going about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) And let us consider what our weakness is. Nay, all would be over with us every single moment did not God equip us for battle with his own weapons, and strengthen us with his own hand.

What do you mean by the term Temptation?³²

The tricks and fallacies of Satan, by which he is constantly attacking us, and would forthwith easily circumvent us, were we not aided by the help of God. For both our mind, from its native vanity, is liable to his wiles, and our will, which is always prone to evil, would immediately yield to him.

But why do you pray God not to lead you into temptation, which seems to be the proper act of Satan, not of God?³³

As God defends believers by his protection, that they may neither be oppressed by the wiles of Satan, nor overcome by sin, so those whom he means to punish he not only leaves destitute of his grace, but also delivers to the tyranny of Satan, strikes with blindness, and gives over to a reprobate mind, so that they are completely enslaved to sin and exposed to all the assaults of temptation.

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

What is meant by the clause which is added, “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever?”³⁴

We are here again reminded that our prayers must lean more on the power and goodness of God than on any confidence in ourselves. Besides, we are taught to close all our prayers with praise.

Series Navigation

<< What is the Lord’s Prayer? Luther’s Small Catechism (1529)What is the Lord’s Prayer? Heidelberg Catechism (1563) >>

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1. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 260.
2. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 261.
3. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 262.
4. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 263.
5. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 264.
6. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 265.
7. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 266.
8. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 267.
9. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 268.
10. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 269.
11. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 270.
12. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 271.
13. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 272.
14. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 273.
15. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 274.
16. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 275.
17. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 276.
18. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 277.
19. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 278.
20. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 279.
21. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 280.
22. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 281.
23. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 282.
24. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 283.
25. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 284.
26. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 285.
27. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 286.
28. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 288.
29. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 289.
30. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 290.
31. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 291.
32. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 292.
33. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 293.
34. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 294.