Q. 101. What do we pray for in the first petition?
A. 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.
101.1. Ought we to desire the glory of God in the first place? Yes: that God in all things may be glorified, 1 Pet 4:11. Is God glorified when his name is glorified? Yes: They shall worship before thee, O Lord, and shall glorify thy name, Ps 86:9. Is God's name glorified when it is sanctified or hallowed? Yes: for he is glorious in holiness, Exod 15:11. Ought we therefore to sanctify it? Yes: Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, 1 Pet 3:15.
101.2. Are we to pray that we ourselves may be enabled to glorify God? Yes: Open thou my lips and my mouth shall show forth thy praise, Ps 51:15. And that we may live for that end? Yes: Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee, Ps 119:175. And be delivered for that end? Yes: Bring my soul out of prison that I may praise thy name, Ps 142:7. And are we to pray that others also may be enabled to glorify him? Yes: that they may glorify our Father which is in heaven, Matt 5:16.
101.3. Do we here pray for the propagating of the knowledge of God? Yes: That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations, Ps 67:2. And for the conversion of souls to him? Yes: Let the people praise thee, O God, let all the people praise thee, Ps 67:3. And for the success of the gospel? Yes: that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, 2 Thess 3:1. Do we pray for the fruitfulness of Christians? Yes: that they may be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God, Phil 1:11. And for the flourishing of the churches of Christ? Yes: that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified, Isa 61:3.
101.4. Do we pray that God would glorify himself? Yes: Father, glorify thy name, John 12:28. And are we sure he will do it? Yes: for there came a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and I will glorify it yet again, John 12:28. Do we pray that he would exalt his own name? Yes: Be thou exalted, O Lord, in thine own strength, Ps 21:13. And are we sure he will do it? Yes: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth, Ps 46:10. May we plead this with him? Yes: What wilt thou do to thy great name? Josh 7:9.
101.5. Do we pray that God would bring glory to himself out of all events? Yes: To thy name give glory, Ps 115:1. Even out of those events that seem contrary? Yes: that the wrath of man may praise him, Ps 76:10. Must we desire it concerning ourselves? Yes: that we may be unto him for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory, Jer 13:11. And concerning all our affairs? Yes: That Christ may be magnified in my body both by life and death, Phil 1:20.
Q. 102. What do we pray for in the second petition?
A. 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.
102.1. Must we acknowledge our heavenly Father's kingdom? Yes: The Lord is king for ever and ever, Ps 10:16. And must we admire it? Yes: we must speak of the glory of his kingdom, Ps 145:11. Must we own him to be our King? Yes: Thou art my king, O God, Ps 44:4. Must we heartily wish well to his kingdom? Yes: Seek ye first the kingdom of God, Matt 6:33.
102.2. Has Satan a kingdom in opposition to God's kingdom? Yes: for he is the prince of this world, John 12:31. Does he rule where sin rules? Yes: for he works in the children of disobedience, Eph 2:2. Must we pray that that kingdom may be destroyed? Yes: The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan, even the Lord that has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke thee, Zech 3:2. Must we pray that the dominion of sin may be broken? Yes: O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, Ps 7:9. And that the power of the church's enemies may be crushed? Yes: So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord, Judg 5:31. And their policies blasted? Yes: Lord turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness, 2 Sam 15:31. And their projects defeated? Yes: O my God, make them like a wheel, Ps 83:13.
102.3. Have we reason to hope that Satan's kingdom shall be destroyed in the hearts of believers? Yes: For the God of peace shall tread Satan under your feet shortly, Rom 16:20. And that it shall be destroyed in the world? Yes: For I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven, Luke 10:18. So destroyed that it shall not destroy the church? Yes: for the
church is built upon a rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, Matt 16:18.
102.4. Is the kingdom of Christ our Father's kingdom? Yes: I have set my King upon my holy hill of Sion, Ps 2:6. Must we pray that that may be advanced? Yes: Prayer shall be made for him continually, Ps 72:15. That we and others may be brought into it? Yes: That Christ may dwell in your heart by faith, Eph 3:17. And kept in it? Yes: That we may be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thess 5:23.
102.5. Are we to pray for converting grace? Yes: Turn thou me, and I shall be turned, Jer 31:18. And that others may partake of that grace? Yes: That sinners may be converted unto thee, Ps 51:13. Are we to pray for confirming grace? Yes: That God would comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work, 2 Thess 2:17. Are we to pray for the strengthening of faith? Yes: Lord, increase our faith, Luke 17:5. And the increase of love? Yes: This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more, Phil 1:9.
102.6. Are we to pray for the advancement of the kingdom of light? Yes: O send out thy light and thy truth, Ps 43:3. And the kingdom of holiness? Yes: The God of peace sanctify you wholly, 1 Thess 5:23. And the kingdom of love? Yes: That they all may be one, John 17:21. Must we pray for the sending forth of ministers in order hereunto? Yes: Pray the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth labourers into his harvest, Matt 9:38. And for the presence of God with them? Yes: that utterance may be given to them, Eph 6:19.
102.7. Are we to pray for the prosperity of the church? Yes: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, Ps 122:6. And for the welfare of all who belong to it? Yes: Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee, Ps 70:4. And for the comfort of all good Christians? Yes: Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, Eph 6:24. Must we pray for the enlargement of the church? Yes: My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they may be saved, Rom 10:1. And for the reformation of it? Yes: Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, Ps 80:19. And for the defence of it? Yes: Build thou the walls of Jerusalem, Ps 51:18. And for the deliverance of it? Yes: Command deliverances for Jacob, Ps 44:4.
102.8. May we pray in faith for the advancement and continuance of Christ's kingdom? Yes; For of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Isa 9:7. And have we reason to triumph in this? Yes: Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth, Rev 19:6.
102.9. Is the kingdom of glory yet to come? Yes: When the mystery of God shall be finished, Rev 10:7. Are we to pray that that may be hastened? Yes: Looking for, and hastening unto, the coming of the day of God, 2 Pet 3:12. Are we to desire our own removal to that glory at death? Yes: Desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven, 2 Cor 5:2. Are we to pray that we may be ready for it? Yes: Watch therefore, and pray always, Luke 21:36. And then that it may be hastened? Yes: Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, Luke 2:29. Are we to pray for Christ's second coming at the end of time? Yes: Amen, even so come, Lord Jesus, Rev 22:20.
Q. 103. What do we pray for in the third petition?
A. In the third petition, which is, Thy will be done on 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.
103.1. Is the will of God's commands the rule of our action? Yes: we must understand what the will of the Lord is, Eph 5:17. Are we to pray that we may conform to this rule? Yes: that we may prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God, Rom 12:2 Must we pray that God would give us to know his will? Yes: Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law, Ps 119:34. And to know it fully? Yes: That ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will, Col 1:9. And to know it in
doubtful cases? Yes: Teach me thy way, O Lord, lead me in a plain path, Ps 27:11. Do all who are sanctified truly desire to know God's will? Yes: What saith my Lord unto his servant? Josh 5:14.
103.2. When we know God's will, are we able of ourselves to do it? No: we are not sufficient of ourselves, 2 Cor 3:5. Must we therefore pray to God to make us able? Yes: Now, therefore, O God, strengthen my hands, Neh 6:9. And must we depend upon his grace? Yes: I will go in the strength of the Lord God, Ps 71:16. Must we pray to God to make us willing? Yes: incline my heart unto thy testimonies, Ps 119:36. And to make us entirely willing? Yes: Unite my heart to fear thy name, Ps 86:11.
103.3. Must we pray that we may be sincere in our obedience? Yes: Let my heart be sound in thy statutes, Ps 119:80. And that we may be exact in our obedience? Yes: O that my ways were directed to keep thy commandments! Ps 119:5. And that we may be universal in our obedience? Yes: That we may stand complete in all the will of God, Col 4:12. And that we may be armed against that which would divert us from our obedience? Yes: Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken thou me in thy way, Ps 119:37. And must we pray that others also may do God's will? Yes: That they may be perfect in every good work, to do his will, Heb 13:21.
103.4. Is the will of God's counsel the rule of his actions? Yes: for he worketh all according to the counsel of his own will, Eph 1:11. Must we desire that this may be done? Yes: The will of the Lord be done, Acts 21:14. Rather than our own will? Yes: Not as I will, but as thou wilt, Matt 26:39. And must we acquiesce in it? Yes: It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good, 1 Sam 3:18. And must we pray that he will enable us to do so? Yes: That we may be strengthened with all might, unto all patience and longsuffering, with joyfulness, Col 1:11.
Do the angels in heaven do the will of God? Yes: they do his commandments, hearkening to the voice of his word, Ps 103:20. Do they do it readily? Yes: they fly swiftly, Dan 9:21. Do they do it zealously? Yes: for they are a flaming fire, Ps 104:4. Do they do it with an eye to God? Yes: for they always behold the face of our Father, Matt 18:10. And are we to pray that God's will may so be done on earth? Yes: that the kingdoms of this world may become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, Rev 11:15.
Q. 104. What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
A. 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.
104.1. Are we to pray for the good things of this life? Yes: for the Lord is for the body, 1 Cor 6:13. Must we go to God for them? Yes: for he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things, Acts 17:25. Must we go to him for the comfort of them? Yes: for he gives us richly all things to enjoy, 1 Tim 6:17. Do we deserve the good things of this life? No: we are less than the least of all God's mercies, Gen 22:10. Must we therefore beg them of God as a free gift? Yes: God gives the dew of heaven, Gen 27:28.
104.2. Are we to pray for riches? No: lest we be full, and say who is the Lord? Prov 30:9. Are we to pray for dainties? No: Be not desirous of dainties, for they are deceitful meat, Prov 23:3. Are we to be content with such a competent portion of these things as God sees fit for us? Yes: Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content, 1 Tim 6:8. Are we to pray for that? Yes: Feed me with food convenient for me, Prov 30:8. And need we desire any more? No: If God will be with me, and keep me in the way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come to my heavenly Father's house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, Gen 28:20-21.
104.3. Are we to pray each day for the bread of the day? Yes: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself,
Matt 6:34. And must we pray for our bread honestly gotten? Yes: for with quietness we must work, and eat our own bread, 2 Thess 3:12. And have we encouragement to pray for this? Yes: for godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, 1 Tim 4:8.
104.4. Do we herein pray for health? Yes: for God is our life, and the length of our days, Deut 30:20. And for success in our callings? Yes: Establish thou the work of our hands upon us, Ps 90:17. And for sleep? Yes: for so he giveth his beloved sleep, Ps 127:2. And for seasonable weather? Yes: Ask ye of the Lord rain, Zech 10:1.
104.5. Must we pray for God's blessing on what we have? Yes: for man liveth not by bread alone, but, by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, Matt 4:4. And is it then comfortable to us? Yes: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer, 1 Tim 4:5. Must we pray most earnestly for bread for our souls? Yes: Lord, evermore give us that bread, John 6:34. Are we to pray for others' prosperity, as well as for our own? Yes: I wish that thou mayest prosper, and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth, 3 John 2. And for the supply of the poor and needy? Yes: that he will abundantly bless our provision, and satisfy our poor with bread, Ps 132:15.
Q. 105. What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
A. 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.
105.1. Are our sins our debts to God? Yes: There was a certain creditor that had two debtors, etc. Luke 7:41. Are they great debts? Yes: ten thousand talents, Matt 18:24. Call we discharge these debts ourselves? No: we have nothing to pay, Luke 7:42. Are we liable to the prison of hell then? Yes: not to depart thence till we have paid the last mite, Luke 12:58-59. Is it possible to obtain the forgiveness of this debt? Yes: There is forgiveness with thee, Ps 130:4.
105.2. Are we to pray for the forgiveness of these debts? Yes; Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord, Ps 143:2. And to pray earnestly for it? Yes: For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity, Ps 25:11. Must we plead God's mercies? Yes: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions, Ps 51:1. And Christ's merits? Yes: Through the redemption that is in Jesus, Rom 3:24. Must we pray for it every day? Yes: when we pray, Give us our daily bread, we must pray, forgive us our debts.
105.3. Must we pray that God would ease us of the burthen of sits? Yes: Take away all iniquity, Hos 14:2. And that he would cleanse us from the filth of sin? Yes: Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, Ps 51:2. And cure us of the wounds of sin? Yes: Heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee, Ps 41:4. And save us from the punishment of sin? Yes: I will say unto God, do not condemn me, Job 10:2.
105.4. Must we pray to God to give us that grace which will qualify us for pardon? Yes: for Christ is exalted to give repentance and remission, Acts 5:31. And that he would give us the comfort of our pardon? Yes: Make me to hear joy and gladness, Ps 51:8. And must we, in order hereunto, be particular in confessing sin? Yes: Declare, that thou mayest be justified, Isa 43:26.
105.5. Must we forgive those who have provoked us? Yes: forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any, Col 3:13. Must we bear them no malice? No: Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned, James 5:9. Must we be ready to be reconciled to them? Yes: When ye stand praying, forgive if ye have ought against any, Mark 11:25. Should we be merciful to those that we have advantage against? Yes: Thou shouldst have had compassion on thy fellowservant, as I had pity on thee, Matt 18:33. Is this required to qualify us for the pardon of sin? Yes: If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father
will also forgive you, Matt 6:14. Will God forgive those that do not forgive? No: If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours, Matt 6:15.
Q. 106. What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
A. 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.
106.1. Must we pray that we may not be tempted? Yes: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation, Matt 26:41. And that temptations may be removed? Yes: I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me, 2 Cor 12:8. And that we may not be overcome by them? Yes: Let no iniquity have dominion over me, Ps 119:133.
106.2. Must we pray that God would not leave us to ourselves? Yes: Incline not my heart to any evil thing, Ps 141:4. And that he would not withdraw the assistance of his grace? Yes: Take not thy Holy Spirit away from me, Ps 51:11. But that he would strengthen us against every temptation? Yes: Uphold me with thy free spirit, Ps 51:12. And that he would preserve us through it? Yes: That our faith fail not, Luke 22:32. Have we encouragement to pray against temptation? Yes: For God is faithful, who will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able, 1 Cor 10:13. And is prayer a part of our spiritual armour? Yes: Praying always, Eph 6:13,18.
106.3. Must we dread sin as the worst evil? Yes: That I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, Neh 6:13. And must we pray to be kept from it? Yes: to be delivered from every evil work, 2 Tim 4:18. And from all occasions of it? Yes: Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, Ps 119:37.
106.4. Must we pray against pride? Yes: That he may hide pride from man, Job 33:17. And against lying? Yes: Remove from me the way of lying, Ps 119:29. And against sensuality? Yes: Let me not eat of their dainties, Ps 141:4. And against uncleanness? Yes: Create in me a clean heart, O God, Ps 51:10. And against covetousness? Yes: Incline my heart to thy testimonies, and not to covetousness, Ps 119:36. And against all tongue-sins? Yes: Set a watch, O Lord, before the door of my mouth, keep the door of my lips, Ps 141:3. Must we pray especially against wilful sin? Yes: Keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins, Ps 19:13. Must we pray that others also may be kept from sin? Yes: I pray to God that ye do no evil, 2 Cor 13:7.
106.5. Must we pray to be delivered from other evil? Yes: Keep me from evil that it may not grieve me, 1 Chron 4:10. Must our eye be to God for our preservation? Yes: Hide me under the shadow of thy wings, Ps 17:8. May we take encouragement in this prayer from God's power? Yes: for he is able to keep that which we have committed to him, 2 Tim 1:12. And from his promise? Yes: There shall no evil befall thee, Ps 91:10. And from our own experience? Yes: He that has delivered does deliver, in whom we trust that he will yet deliver, 2 Cor 1:10.
Q. 107. What does the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer teach us?
A. The conclusion of the Lord's Prayer, which is, For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever, 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.
107.1. Are we in prayer to plead with God? Yes: I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments, Job 23:4. Are our pleadings to move God? No: For he is in one mind, and who can turn him, Job 23:13. Are they to move ourselves? Yes: that we may stir up ourselves to take hold on God, Isa 64:7.
107.2. Can we in prayer plead any merit of our own? No: We do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness, Dan 9:18. Must we therefore take our encouragement from God only? Yes: Defer not for thine own
sake, O my God, Dan 9:19. And must we depend on that encouragement? Yes: Now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee, Ps 39:7.
107.3. May we plead that his is the kingdom? Yes: Art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? 2 Chron 20:6. And that his is the power? Yes: There is nothing too hard for thee, Jer 32:17. And that his is the glory? Yes: Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name, Ps 79:9.
107.4. May we also plead his mercy? Yes: Save me for thy mercy's sake, Ps 6:4. And his promise? Yes: Remember thy word unto thy servant, Ps 119:49. And our own experience of his goodness? Yes: Thou hast delivered my soul from death, wilt thou not deliver my feet from falling? Ps 56:13. But must we especially plead the mediation of his Son? Yes: Look upon the face of thine Anointed, Ps 84:9. And may we hope to prevail in these pleadings? Yes: for the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, James 5:16. Is it God's grace in us which alone qualifies us for his favour? Yes: Thou wilt prepare their heart, and then thou wilt cause thine ear to hear, Ps 10:17.
107.5. Are we in prayer to praise God? Yes: Every day will I bless thee, Ps 145:2. Are we to ascribe kingdom, power, and glory to him? Yes: Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sits upon the throne, Rev 5:13. Must we acknowledge them to be his? Yes: Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty, 1 Chron 29:11. Must we acknowledge them to be his for ever? Yes: Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, Ps 145:13. And must we desire to be for ever praising him? Yes: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being, Ps 104:33. Is the work of praise good work? Yes: it is pleasant, and praise is comely, Ps 147:1.
107.6. Does Amen signify our desire to be heard? Yes: So be it, O Lord, Jer 11:5. And our hope that we shall be heard? Yes: we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him, 1 John 5:15. Is it therefore proper to conclude our prayers and praises with Amen? Yes: Let all the people say, Amen. Hallelujah, Ps 106:48.