What is the Lord’s Prayer? Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647)

All of the questions and answers below are from Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647).

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

Preface — Our Father which art in heaven

What doth 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, teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence (Psalm 95:6) and confidence (Ephesians 3:12), as children to a father (Matthew 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13; Romans 8:15), able and ready to help us (Ephesians 3:20); and that we should pray with and for others (Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:1-2).

First Petition — Hallowed be thy name

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 maketh himself known (Psalm 67:1-3; 99:3; 100:3-4); and that he would dispose all things to his own glory (Romans 11:33-36; Revelation 4:11).

Second Petition — Thy kingdom come

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 (Matthew 12:25-28; Romans 16:20; 1 John 3:8); and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced (Psalm 72:8-11; Matthew 24:14; 1 Corinthians 15:24-25), ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it (Psalm 119:5; Luke 22:32; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5); and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened (Revelation 22:20).

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

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 (Psalm 19:14; 119; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:20-21), as the angels do in heaven (Psalm 103:20-21; Hebrews 1:14).

Fourth Petition — Give us this day our daily bread

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 (Proverbs 30:8-9; Matthew 6:31-34; Philippians 4:11, 19; 1 Timothy 6:6-8).

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

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 (Psalm 51:1-2, 7, 9; Daniel 9:17-19; 1 John 1:7); which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others (Matthew 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13).

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

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 (Psalm 19:13; Matthew 26:41; John 17:15), or support and deliver us when we are tempted (Luke 22:31-32; I Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; Hebrews 2:18).

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

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

1. 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 (Daniel 9:4, 7-9, 16-19; Luke 18:1, 7-8), and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him (1 Chronicles 29:10-13; 1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 5:11-13); and, in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen (1 Corinthians 14:16; Revelation 22:20).

Please follow and like us:

1. Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 100.
2. Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 101.
3. Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 102.
4. Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 103.
5. Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 104.
6. Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 105.
7. Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 106.
8. Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 107.