Luther's Small Catechism Part 2

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

=Our Father who art in heaven.=

_That is_,

G.o.d would hereby tenderly invite us to believe that He is truly our Father, and we are truly His children, so that we may ask of Him with all cheerfulness and confidence, as dear children ask of their dear father.

THE FIRST PEt.i.tION.

=Hallowed be Thy name.=

_That is_,

The name of G.o.d is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this pet.i.tion that it may be hallowed also among us.

This is done when the Word of G.o.d is rightly taught, and when we as the children of G.o.d live holy lives in obedience to the Word. This grant us, heavenly Father.

THE SECOND PEt.i.tION.

=Thy kingdom come.=

_That is_,

The kingdom of G.o.d comes indeed of itself, without our prayer, but we pray in this pet.i.tion that it may come also to us.

This is done when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe the Word of G.o.d, and live holy and Christ-like lives here in time, and in heaven forever.

THE THIRD PEt.i.tION.

=Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.=

_That is_,

The good and gracious will of G.o.d is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this pet.i.tion that it may be done also among us.

This is done when G.o.d brings to nothing all evil plans and purposes of the devil, the world, and our own flesh, that would hinder the hallowing of His name and the coming of His kingdom.

On the other hand, it is the good and gracious will of G.o.d to strengthen us and keep us steadfast in His Word and in faith, until death.

THE FOURTH PEt.i.tION.

=Give us this day our daily bread.=

_That is_,

G.o.d gives daily bread indeed without our prayer even to the wicked; but we pray in this pet.i.tion that He would help us to appreciate His benefits, that we may receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.

By daily bread is meant all those things which are needed for our support and well-being in life, as food and clothing, home and property, happy family relations, a good government, favorable weather, peace and health, faithful friends, good neighbors, and the like.

THE FIFTH PEt.i.tION.

=And forgive us our trespa.s.ses, as we forgive those who trespa.s.s against us.=

_That is_,

We pray in this pet.i.tion that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor, on account of them, deny our prayer, for we are not worthy of anything we ask, neither have we deserved it; but we pray that He would give it to us out of His mercy; for we sin every day, and deserve nothing but punishment.

And we on our part will heartily forgive those who have sinned against us, and return good for evil.

THE SIXTH PEt.i.tION.

=And lead us not into temptation.=

_That is_,

G.o.d indeed tempts no one, but we pray in this pet.i.tion that He would guard and keep us from the devil, the world, and our own flesh, that we fall not, through their deceit, into unbelief, despair, or other sins; but we pray that although we be thus tempted, we may overcome the temptation, and remain victorious.

THE SEVENTH PEt.i.tION.

=But deliver us from evil.=

_That is_,

We pray in this pet.i.tion, in general, that our Father in heaven would deliver us from all evil, affecting body and soul, property and honor, and at last grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this world of sorrow to Himself in heaven.

_What are the closing words of the Lord's Prayer?_

=For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.=

_That is_,

We should remember that G.o.d is able to answer our prayer, and that the glory belongs to Him alone, when we get according to our prayer.

_Why is the word "Amen" added?_

It is added in order that I may be fully a.s.sured that these pet.i.tions are acceptable to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him.

PART FOUR.