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The Larger Catechism – Questions 181-190

 

 

Q. 181. Why are we to pray in the name of Christ?

A. The sinfulness of man, and his distance from God by reason thereof, being so great, as that we can have no access into his presence without a mediatora; and there being none in heaven or earth appointed to, or fit for, that glorious work but Christ aloneb, we are to pray in no other name but his onlyc.

 

a John 14:6; Isa.59:2; Eph.3:12 b John 6:27; Heb.7:25-27; 1 Tim.2:5 c Col.3:17; Heb.13:15

 

 

Q. 182. How doth the Spirit help us to pray?

A. We not knowing what to pray for as we ought, the Spirit helpeth our infirmities, by enabling us to understand both for whom, and what, and how prayer is to be made; and by working and quickening in our hearts (although not in all persons, nor at all times, in the same measure) those apprehensions, affections, and graces which are requisite for the right performance of that dutya.

 

a Rom.8:26,27; Ps.10:17; Zech.12:10

 

 

Q. 183. For whom are we to pray?

A. We are to pray for the whole church of Christ upon eartha; for magistratesb, and ministersc; for ourselvesd, our brethrene, yea, our enemiesf; and for all sorts of men livingg, or that shall live hereafterh; but not for the deadi, nor for those that are known to have sinned the sin unto deathk.

 

a Eph.6:18; Ps.28:9 b 1 Tim.2:1,2 c Col.4:3 d Gen.32:11 e James 5:16 f Matt.5:44 g 1 Tim.2:1,2 h John 17:20; 2 Sam.7:29 i 2 Sam.12:21-23 k 1 John 5:16

 

 

Q. 184. For what things are we to pray?

A. We are to pray for all things tending to the glory of Goda, the welfare of the churchb, our ownc or others goodd; but not for any thing that is unlawfule.

 

a Matt.6:9 b Ps.51:18; Ps.122:6 c Matt.7:11 d Ps.125:4 e 1 John 5:14

 

 

Q. 185. How are we to pray?

A. We are to pray with an awful apprehension of the majesty of Goda, and deep sense of our own unworthinessb, necessitiesc, and sinsd; with penitente, thankfulf, and enlarged heartsg; with understandingh, faithi, sincerityk, fervencyl, lovem, and perseverancen, waiting upon himo, with humble submission to his willp.

 

a Eccl.5:1 b Gen.18:27; Gen.32:10 c Luke 15:17-19 d Luke 18:13 ,14 e Ps.51:17 f Phil.4:6 g 1 Sam.1:15; 1 Sam.2:1 h 1 Cor.14:15 i Mark 11:24 ; James 1:6 k Ps.145:18; Ps.17:1 l James 5:16 m 1 Tim.2:8 n Eph.6:18 o Micah 7:7 p Matt.26:39

 

 

Q. 186. What rule hath God given for our direction in the duty of prayer?

A. The whole word of God is of use to direct us in the duty of prayera; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which our Saviour Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord's prayerb.

 

a 1 John 5:14 b Matt.6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4

 

 

Q. 187. How is the Lord's prayer to be used ?

A. The Lord's prayer is not only for direction, as a pattern, according to which we are to make other prayers; but may also be used as a prayer, so that it be done with understanding, faith, reverence, and other graces necessary to the right performance of the duty of prayera.

 

a Matt.6:9 compared with Luke 11:2

 

 

Q. 188. Of how many parts doth the Lord's prayer consist?

A The Lord's prayer consists of three parts; a preface, petitions, and a conclusion.

 

 

Q. 189. What doth the preface of the Lord's prayer teach us?

A. The preface of the Lord's prayer (contained in these words, Our Father which art in heavena,) teacheth us, when we pray, to draw near to God with confidence of his fatherly goodness, and our interest thereinb; with reverence, and all other child-like dispositionsc, heavenly affectionsd, and due apprehensions of his sovereign power, majesty, and gracious condescensione: as also, to pray with and for othersf.

 

a Matt.6:9 b Luke 11:13; Rom.8:15 c Isa.64:9 d Ps.123:1; Lam.3:41 e Isa.63:15,16; Neh.1:4-6 f Acts 12:5

 

 

Q. 190. What do we pray for in the first petition?

A. In the first petition, (which is, Hallowed be thy namea) acknowledging the utter inability and indisposition that is in ourselves and all men to honour God arightb, we pray, that God would by his grace enable and incline us and others to know, to acknowledge, and highly to esteem himc, his titlesd, attributese, ordinances, wordf, works, and whatsoever he is pleased to make himself known byg; and to glorify him in thought, wordh, and deedi: that he would prevent and remove atheismk, ignorancel, idolatrym, profanenessn, and whatsoever is dishonourable to himo; and, by his over-ruling providence, direct and dispose of all things to his own gloryp.

 

a Matt.6:9 b 2 Cor.3:5; Ps.51:15 c Ps.67:2,3 d Ps.83:18 e Ps.86:10-13,15 f 2 Thess.3:1; Ps.147:19,20; Ps.138:1-3; 2 Cor.2:14,15 g Ps.145; Ps.8 h Ps.103:1; Ps.19:14 i Phil.1:9,11 k Ps.67:1-4 l Eph.1:17,18 m Ps.97:7 n Ps.74:18,22,23 o 2 Kings 19:15,16 p 2 Chron.20:6,10-12; Ps.83; Ps.140:4,8

 

 

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Larger Catechism (index)