The Lord’s Prayer
PART III
THE LORD’S PRAYER
The Introduction
Our Father, Who art in heaven.
What does this mean?
Answer: God thereby tenderly encourages us to believe that He is truly our Father, and that we are truly His children, so that we may boldly and confidently come to Him in prayer, even as beloved children come to their dear father.
The First Petition
Hallowed be Thy Name.
What does this mean?
Answer: God’s Name is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition that it may be hallowed also among us.
How is this done?
Answer: When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity and we, as God’s children, lead holy lives, in accordance with it. This grant us, dear Father in heaven! But whoever teaches and lives otherwise than God’s Word teaches, profanes the Name of God among us. From this preserve us, heavenly Father!
The Second Petition
Thy kingdom come.
What does this mean?
Answer: The kingdom of God comes indeed of itself, without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may come also to us.
How is this done?
Answer: When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word, and live a godly life here on earth, and in heaven for ever.
The Third Petition
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
What does this mean?
Answer: The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done also among us.
How is this done?
Answer: When God destroys and brings to naught every evil counsel and purpose of the devil, the world, and our own flesh, which would hinder us from hallowing His Name, and prevent the coming of His kingdom; and when He strengthens us and keeps us steadfast in His Word and in faith, even unto our end. This is His good and gracious will.
The Fourth Petition
Give us this day our daily bread.
What does this mean?
Answer: God indeed gives daily bread to all men, even to the wicked, without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that He would lead us to acknowledge our daily bread as His gift, and to receive it with thanksgiving.
What is meant by daily bread?
Answer: Everything that is required to satisfy our bodily needs; such as food and raiment, house and home, fields and flocks, money and goods; pious parents, children, and servants; godly and faithful rulers, good government; seasonable weather, peace and health; order and honor; true friends, good neighbors, and the like.
The Fifth Petition
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
What does this mean?
Answer: We pray in this petition that our heavenly Father would not regard our sins nor because of them deny our prayers; for we neither merit nor are worthy of those things for which we pray; but that He would grant us all things through grace, even though we sin daily, and deserve nothing but punishment. And certainly we, on our part, will heartily forgive, and gladly do good to those who may sin against us.
The Sixth Petition
And lead us not into temptation.
What does this mean?
Answer: God indeed tempts no one to sin; but we pray in this petition that God would so guard and preserve us, that the devil, the world, and our own flesh, may not deceive us, nor lead us into error and unbelief, despair, and other great and shameful sins; but that when so tempted, we ma finally prevail and gain the victory.
The Seventh Petition
But deliver us from evil.
What does this mean?
Answer: We pray in this petition, as in a summary, that our heavenly Father would deliver us from all manner of evil, whether it affect body or soul, property or reputation, and at last, when the hour of death shall come, grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this world of sorrow to Himself in heaven.
The Conclusion
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
What does the word “Amen” mean?
Answer: It means that I should be assured that such petitions are acceptable to our heavenly Father, and are heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us to pray in this manner, and has promised to hear us. Amen, Amen, that is Yes, yes, it shall be so.