One of the most common pitfalls of personal prayer is to focus only upon our selves and our needs. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he gave them a pattern for prayer in which God always came first.
Pastor McShaffrey taught this study during November 2013. It consisted of an explanation of the first three petitions of the Lord’s Prayer and a recommendation of the Heidelberg catechism’s expansion of those petitions.
“Hallowed by thy name”
What it Means
- To “hallow” means to set apart as holy
- God’s “name” includes all his works
- The petition is God-ward (i.e., his work)
- The answer is experiential in its scope
What is Sounds Like
Grant us, first, rightly to know thee, and to sanctify, glorify and praise thee, in all thy works, in which thy 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 thy name may never be blasphemed, but rather honoured and praised on our account.
“Thy kingdom come”
What it Means
- God’s “kingdom” is his rule
- Satan’s “resistance” opposes God
- We are “caught” in the crossfire
- Prayer “advances” God’s rule
What is Sounds Like
Rule us so by thy word and Spirit, that we may submit ourselves more and more to thee; preserve and increase thy church; destroy the works of the devil, and all violence which would exalt itself against thee; and also all wicked counsels devised against thy holy word; till the full perfection of thy kingdom take place, wherein thou shalt be all in all.
“Thy will be done”
What it Means
- In view is God’s revealed (not secret) will
- Our inability to obey God’s will is assumed
- Obedience in heaven is prompt and sincere
- Prayer aligns our crooked will with God’s will
What is Sounds Like
Grant that we and all men may renounce our own will, and without murmuring obey thy will, which is only good; that every one may attend to, and perform the duties of his station and calling, as willingly and faithfully as the angels do in heaven.