Heidelberg Catechism days 45-52 part 1

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 – Everything we need, spiritually and physically, as embraced in the prayer Christ our Lord Himself taught us. 119. Q – What is the prayer? A – Our Father in heaven, hallowed by Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. LORD’S DAY 46 120. Q – Why did Christ command us to call God “Our Father”? A – At the very beginning of our prayer Christ wants to kindle in us what is basic to our prayer – the childlike awe and trust that God through Christ has become our Father. Our fathers do not refuse us the things of this life; God our Father will even less refuse to give us what we ask in faith. 121. Q – Why the words “in heaven”? A – Those words teach us not to think of God’s heavenly majesty as something earthly and to expect everything for body and soul from His almighty power. LORD’S DAY 47 122. Q – What does the first request mean? A – “Hallowed by Your name” means, Help us to really know You, to bless, to worship, and praise You for all Your works and for all that shines forth from them: Your almighty power, wisdom, kindness, justice, mercy, and truth. And it means, help us to direct all our living – what we think, say, and do – so that Your name will never be blasphemed because of us but always honored and praised.

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