What We Believe by Pastor Doug

The Heidelberg Catechism: "instructions" for belief. (The last post!)  

  Heidelberg Catechism days 45-52 part 2: The Lord's Prayer part 2 Questions & Answers: LORD’S DAY 48 123. Q – What does the second request mean? A – “Your kingdom come” means, Rule us by Your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to You. Keep Your church strong, and add to it. Destroy the devil’s work; destroy every force which revolts against You and every conspiracy against Your Word. Do this until Your kingdom is so complete and perfect that in it You are all in all. LORD’S DAY 49 124. Q – What does the third request mean? A – “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” means, Help us and all people to reject our own wills and to obey Your will without any back talk. Your will alone is good. Help us one and all to carry out the work we are called to, as willingly and faithfully as the angels in heaven. LORD’S DAY 50 125. Q – What does the fourth request mean? A – “Give us today our daily bread” means, Do take care of all of our physical needs s

Heidelberg Catechism days 45-52 part 1: The Lord's Prayer part 1   Questions and Answers: LORD’S DAY 45 116. Q – Why do Christians need to pray? A – Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness God requires of us. And also because God gives His grace and Holy Spirit only to those who pray continually and groan inwardly asking God for these gifts and thanking Him for them. 117. Q – How does God want us to pray so that He will listen to us? A – First, we must pray from the heart to no other than the one true God, who has revealed Himself in His Word, asking for everything He has commanded us to ask for. Second, we must acknowledge our need and misery, hiding nothing, and humble ourselves in His majestic presence. Third, we must rest on his unshakable foundation: even though we do not deserve it, God will surely listen to our prayer because of Christ our Lord. This is what He promised us in His Word. 118. Q – What did God command us to pray for? A – Ev