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What we believe

 


The Heidelberg Catechism

Introduction:
Lord's Day 1

Part One:
Of the misery of man

Part Two:
Of man’s deliverance
Of God the Father
Of God the Son
Of God the Holy Spirit
Of the sacraments
Of holy baptism
Of the holy supper

Part Three:
Of thankfulness
Of prayer


 

Heidelberg Catechism

This catechism is fully based on the scriptures. The references to scripture are indicated in parentheses with a letter. For example, the letter (a) points to the texts placed after the answer, also indicated with the letter (a).

 

Part 3 - Of Prayer

Lord’s Day 45

116. Why is prayer necessary for Christians?
Because it is the chief part of thankfulness which God requires of us: (a) and also, because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit to those only, who with sincere desires continually ask them of him, and are thankful for them. (b)
(a) Ps.50:14,15. (b) Matt.7:7,8; Luke 11:9,10,13; 1 Thess.5:17.

117. What belongs to prayer, as God is pleased with and will hear?
First, that from the heart (a) we call upon the one true God only, who has revealed Himself in His Word, (b) for all He has commanded us to ask of Him; (c) second, that we right thoroughly know our need and misery, (d) in order to humble ourselves before the face of His majesty; (e) third, that we be firmly assured that, notwithstanding we are unworthy of it, He will, for the sake of Christ our Lord, certainly hear our prayer, (f) as He has promised us in His Word. (g)
(a) John 4:24; Ps.145:18. (b) Rev.19:10; John 4:22-24. (c) Rom.8:26; 1 John 5:14; James 1:5. (d) 2 Chron.20:12. (e) Ps.2:11; Ps.34:19; Is.66:2. (f) Rom.10:14; James 1:6. (g) John 14:13,14; John 16:23; Dan.9:17,18. (h) Matt.7:8; Ps.27:8.

118. What has God commanded us to ask of him?
All things necessary for soul and body; (a) which Christ our Lord has comprised in that prayer he himself has taught us.
(a) James 1:17; Matt.6:33.

119. What are the words of that prayer? (a)
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be  your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
(a) Matt.6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4.

Lord’s Day 46

120. Why has Christ commanded us to address God thus: “Our Father”?
That immediately, in the very beginning of our prayer, he might excite in us a childlike reverence for, and confidence in God, which are the foundation of our prayer: namely, that God is become our Father in Christ, and will much less deny us what we ask of him in true faith, than our parents will refuse us earthly things. (a)
(a) Matt.7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13.

121. Why is it here added, “Which art in heaven”?
Lest we should form any earthly conceptions of God’s heavenly majesty, (a) and that we may expect from his almighty power all things necessary for soul and body. (b)
(a) Jer.23:23,24; Acts 17:24,25,27. (b) Rom.10:12.

Lord’s Day 47

122. Which is the first petition?
“Hallowed be  your name”; that is, grant us, first, rightly to know you, (a) and to sanctify, glorify and praise you, (b) in all  your works, in which  your power, wisdom, goodness, justice, mercy and truth, are clearly displayed; and further also, that we may so order and direct our whole lives, our thoughts, words and actions, that  your name may never be blasphemed, but rather honored and praised on our account. (c)
(a) John 17:3; Jer.9:24; Jer.31:33,34; Matt.16:17; James 1:5; Ps.119:105. (b) Ps.119:137; Luke 1:46,47,68,69; Rom.11:33-36. (c) Ps.71:8; Ps.115:1.

Lord’s Day 48

123. Which is the second petition?
“ your kingdom come”; that is, rule us so by  your word and Spirit, that we may submit ourselves more and more to you; (a) preserve and increase  your church; (b) destroy the works of the devil, and all violence which would exalt itself against you; and also all wicked counsels devised against  your holy word; (c) till the full perfection of  your kingdom take place, (d) wherein you shalt be all in all. (e)
(a) Matt.6:33; Ps.119:5; Ps.143:10. (b) Ps.51:18; Ps.122:6-9. (c) 1 John 3:8; Rom.16:20. (d) Rev.22:17,20; Rom.8:22,23. (e) 1 Cor.15:28.

Lord’s Day 49

124. Which is the third petition?
“ your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”; that is, grant that we and all men may renounce our own will, (a) and without murmuring obey  your will, which is only good; (b) that every one may attend to, and perform the duties of his station and calling, (c) as willingly and faithfully as the angels do in heaven. (d)
(a) Matt.16:24; Tit.2:11,12. (b) Luke 22:42; Eph.5:10; Rom.12:2. (c) 1 Cor.7:24. (d) Ps.103:20,21.

Lord’s Day 50

125. Which is the fourth petition?
“Give us this day our daily bread”; that is, be pleased to provide us with all things necessary for the body, (a) that we may thereby acknowledge you to be the only fountain of all good, (b) and that neither our care nor industry, nor even  your gifts, can profit us without  your blessing; (c) and therefore that we may withdraw our trust from all creatures, and place it alone in you. (d)
(a) Ps.104:27,28; Ps.145:15,16; Matt.6:25,26. (b) James 1:17; Acts 14:17; Acts 17:27,28. (c) 1 Cor.15:58; Deut.8:3; Ps.37:3-5,16; Ps.127:1,2. (d) Ps.55:23; Ps.62:11; Ps.146:3; Jer.17:5,7.

Lord’s Day 51

126. Which is the fifth petition?
“And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”; that is, be pleased for the sake of Christ’s blood, not to impute to us poor sinners, our transgressions, nor that depravity, which always cleaves to us; (a) even as we feel this evidence of  your grace in us, that it is our firm resolution from the heart to forgive our neighbor. (b)
(a) Ps.51:1-7; Ps.143:2; 1 John 2:1,2; Rom.8:1. (b) Matt.6:14,15.

Lord’s Day 52

127. Which is the sixth petition?
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”; that is, since we are so weak in ourselves, that we cannot stand a moment; (a) and besides this, since our mortal enemies, the devil, (b) the world, (c) and our own flesh, (d) cease not to assault us, do you therefore preserve and strengthen us by the power of  your Holy Spirit, that we may not be overcome in this spiritual warfare, (e) but constantly and strenuously may resist our foes, till at last we obtain a complete victory. (f)
(a) John 15:5; Ps.103:14. (b) 1 Pet.5:8; Eph.6:12. (c) John 15:19. (d) Rom.7:23; Gal.5:17. (e) Matt.26:41; Mark 13:33. (f) 1 Thess.3:13; 1 Thess.5:23.

128. How do you conclude  your prayer?
“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever”; that is, all these we ask of you, because you, being our King and almighty, art willing and able to give us all good; (a) and all this we pray for, that thereby not we, but  your holy name, may be glorified for ever. (b)
(a) Rom.10:11,12; 2 Pet.2:9. (b) John 14:13; Jer.33:8,9; Ps.115:1.

129. What does the word “Amen” signify?
“Amen” signifies, it shall truly and certainly be: for my prayer is more assuredly heard of God, than I feel in my heart that I desire these things of him. (a)
(a) 2 Cor.1:20; 2 Tim.2:13.

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