Question #122: What does the first request mean? Answer: "Hallowed be your name" means, Help us to really know you, to bless, 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— … Continue reading Catechism #122-123
devotional
Catechism #120-121
Question #120: Why did Christ command us to call God "our Father"? Answer: 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 … Continue reading Catechism #120-121
Catechism #118-119
Question #118: What did God command us to pray for? Answer: Everything we need, spiritually and physically, as embraced in the prayer Christ our Lord himself taught us (James 1:17; Matt. 6:33). Question #119: What is this prayer? Answer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on … Continue reading Catechism #118-119
What to Pray For
Bob's sermon from yesterday (6/26/11) was a wonderful and powerful reminder of the efficacy of prayer. Today I read this quote from Augustine in Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion: God orders what we cannot do, that we may know what we ought to ask of him. There is a great utility in precepts [commands], if all … Continue reading What to Pray For
Catechism #116-117
Question #116: Why do Christians need to pray? Answer: 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 (Ps. 50:14-15; 116:12-19; 1 Thess. … Continue reading Catechism #116-117
God Entranced 