Luther's Small Catechism Part 22

First of all we should pray for the spiritual gifts necessary to our salvation; but we may also pray for other gifts, both spiritual and temporal.

=Matt. 6:33. Seek ye first the kingdom of G.o.d and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.=

=1 Cor. 12:31. Covet earnestly the best gifts.=

_274. What must we always remember when we pray for things not necessary to our salvation?_

We must always remember that G.o.d alone knows whether such a prayer answered would truly benefit us.

When asking such gifts we should always add, "Lord, if Thou wilt".

=Matt. 26:39. Not as I will, but as thou wilt.=

_275. Who teaches us to pray well?_

The Holy Spirit, who is also called the Spirit of prayer.

=Rom. 8:26. We know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.=

_276. Which is the most perfect prayer?_

The most perfect prayer is the Lord's Prayer, which Christ taught His own disciples.

_277. Repeat this prayer._

Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespa.s.ses, as we forgive those who trespa.s.s against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

_278. Why would G.o.d have us speak to Him as "Our Father"?_

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.

_279. Who alone can confidently call G.o.d Father?_

G.o.d's children alone can call G.o.d their Father.

_280. Why would G.o.d have us say "our Father" and not only "my Father"?_

Because He would have us pray with one another and for one another, in spiritual fellows.h.i.+p.

_281. What is the importance of the words "who art in heaven"?_

By these words we are reminded of the exalted love and power of our heavenly Father, far above that of any earthly father.

=Matt. 7:11. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?=

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!

But he that teaches and lives otherwise than the Word of G.o.d teaches, profanes the name of G.o.d among us. From this preserve us, heavenly Father!

_282. What do you pray for in the first pet.i.tion?_

I pray that the name of G.o.d may be hallowed among us.

=Ps. 72:19. Blessed be his glorious name forever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory.=

_283. When is the name of G.o.d hallowed among us?_

When the Word of G.o.d is rightly taught and is received into our hearts.

_284. When do we hallow the name of G.o.d among our fellow men?_

We hallow the name of G.o.d when we freely confess it before men in accordance with the Word, and when we as G.o.d's children live holy lives in obedience to the Word.

=Matt. 5:16. Let your light so s.h.i.+ne before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.=

=Matt. 10:32. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.=

_285. Who profanes the name of G.o.d?_

He that teaches and lives otherwise than the Word of G.o.d teaches, profanes the name of G.o.d.

=Rom. 2:24. [R. V.] The name of G.o.d is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.=

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.

_286. What do you pray for in the second pet.i.tion?_

I pray that the kingdom of G.o.d may come.

_287. What is meant, in a particular sense, by the kingdom of G.o.d which you pray for in this pet.i.tion?_