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 heaven,[d]) teacheth us, when we pray, to draw near to God with confidence of his fatherly goodness, and our interest therein;[e]
with reverence, and all other childlike dispositions,[f] heavenly affections,[g] and due apprehensions of his sovereign power, majesty, and gracious condescension:[h] as also,
to pray with and for others.[i]
when we pray, we should draw near to God with confidence of his fatherly goodness, and our interest therein;[e]
| [e]. Luke 11:13; Rom. 8:15 Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. |
when we pray, we should draw near to God with reverence and all other childlike dispositions,[f]
| [f]. Isaiah 64:9 Do not be furious, O LORD, Nor remember iniquity forever; Indeed, please look; we all are Your people! |
when we pray, we should draw near to God with heavenly affections,[g]
| [g]. Ps. 123:1; Lam. 3:41 Psalm 123:1 Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Lamentations 3:41 Let us lift our hearts and hands To God in heaven. |
when we pray, we should draw near to God with due apprehensions of his sovereign power, majesty, and gracious condescension:[h]
| [h]. Isa. 63:15-16; Neh. 1:4-6 Isaiah 63:15-16 Look down from heaven, And see from Your habitation, holy and glorious. Where are Your zeal and Your strength, The yearning of Your heart and Your mercies toward me? Are they restrained? {16} Doubtless You are our Father, Though Abraham was ignorant of us, And Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father; Our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name. Nehemiah 1:4-6 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. {5} And I said: "I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, {6} "please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father's house and I have sinned. |
when we pray, we should pray with and for others.[i]
| [i]. Acts 12:5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. |