content/09/24.md
---
pagetitle: What doth the preface of the Lord's prayer teach us?
date: February 19, 2020
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---
#### Shorter Catechism
<span class="q">Q 100.</span> What doth the preface of the Lord's prayer teach us?
<span class="q">A.</span> The preface of the Lord's Prayer, which is, Our Father which art in heaven, teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence[^fnref:wsc1] and confidence,[^fnref:wsc2] as children to a father,[^fnref:wsc3] able and ready to help us;[^fnref:wsc4] and that we should pray with and for others.[^fnref:wsc5]
[^fnref:wsc1]: <div class="esv"><h5>Psalm 95:6</h5> <div class="esv-text"><div class="block-indent"> <p class="line-group" id="p19095006.01-1">Oh come, let us worship and bow down;<br /> <span class="indent"></span>let us kneel before the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>, our Maker! (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> </div> </div>
[^fnref:wsc2]: <div class="esv"><h5>Ephesians 3:12</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p49003012.01-1">in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> </div>
[^fnref:wsc3]: <div class="esv"><h5>Matthew 7:9-11</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p40007009.01-1"><span class="woc">Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?</span> <span class="woc">Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?</span> <span class="woc">If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!</span></p> </div><h5>Luke 11:11-13</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p42011011.01-2"><span class="woc">What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;</span> <span class="woc">or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?</span> <span class="woc">If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”</span></p> </div><h5>Romans 8:15</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p45008015.01-3">For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> </div>
[^fnref:wsc4]: <div class="esv"><h5>Ephesians 3:20</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p49003020.01-1">Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> </div>
[^fnref:wsc5]: <div class="esv"><h5>Ephesians 6:18</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p49006018.01-1">praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,</p> </div><h5>1 Timothy 2:1-2</h5> <div class="esv-text"> <p id="p54002001.05-2"><span class="chapter-num" id="v54002001-2">2:1 </span>First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> </div>
#### Larger Catechism
<span class="q">Q 189.</span> What doth the preface of the Lord's Prayer teach us?
<span class="q">A.</span> The preface of the Lord's Prayer (contained in these words, Our Father which art in heaven,[^fnref:wlc1]) teacheth us, when we pray, to draw near to God with confidence of his fatherly goodness, and our interest therein;[^fnref:wlc2] with reverence, and all other childlike dispositions,[^fnref:wlc3] heavenly affections,[^fnref:wlc4] and due apprehensions of his sovereign power, majesty, and gracious condescension:[^fnref:wlc5] as also, to pray with and for others.[^fnref:wlc6]
[^fnref:wlc1]: <div class="esv"><h5>Matthew 6:9</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p40006009.01-1"><span class="woc">Pray then like this:</span></p> <div class="block-indent"> <p class="line-group" id="p40006009.05-1"><span class="woc">“Our Father in heaven,<br /> hallowed be your name.</span></p> </div> </div><h5>Luke 11:2</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p42011002.01-2">And he said to them, <span class="woc">“When you pray, say:</span></p> <div class="block-indent"> <p class="line-group" id="p42011002.10-2"><span class="woc">“Father, hallowed be your name.<br /> Your kingdom come.</span> (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> </div> </div>
[^fnref:wlc2]: <div class="esv"><h5>Psalm 103:13</h5> <div class="esv-text"><div class="block-indent"> <p class="line-group" id="p19103013.01-1">As a father shows compassion to his children,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>so the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> shows compassion to those who fear him.</p> </div> </div><h5>Luke 11:13</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p42011013.01-2"><span class="woc">If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”</span></p> </div><h5>Romans 8:15</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p45008015.01-3">For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> </div>
[^fnref:wlc3]: <div class="esv"><h5>Isaiah 64:9</h5> <div class="esv-text"><div class="block-indent"> <p class="line-group" id="p23064009.01-1">Be not so terribly angry, O <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and remember not iniquity forever.<br /> <span class="indent"></span>Behold, please look, we are all your people. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> </div> </div>
[^fnref:wlc4]: <div class="esv"><h5>Colossians 3:1-2</h5> <div class="esv-text"> <p id="p51003001.06-1"><span class="chapter-num" id="v51003001-1">3:1 </span>If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.</p> </div><h5>Psalm 123:1</h5> <div class="esv-text"> <div class="block-indent"> <p class="line-group" id="p19123001.13-2"><span class="chapter-num" id="v19123001-2">123:1 </span>To you I lift up my eyes,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>O you who are enthroned in the heavens!</p> </div> </div><h5>Lamentations 3:41</h5> <div class="esv-text"><div class="block-indent"> <p class="line-group" id="p25003041.01-3">Let us lift up our hearts and hands<br /> <span class="indent"></span>to God in heaven: (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> </div> </div>
[^fnref:wlc5]: <div class="esv"><h5>Isaiah 63:15-16</h5> <div class="esv-text"> <div class="block-indent"> <p class="line-group" id="p23063015.04-1">Look down from heaven and see,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>from your holy and beautiful habitation.<br /> Where are your zeal and your might?<br /> <span class="indent"></span>The stirring of your inner parts and your compassion<br /> <span class="indent"></span>are held back from me.<br /> For you are our Father,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>though Abraham does not know us,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and Israel does not acknowledge us;<br /> you, O <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>, are our Father,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>our Redeemer from of old is your name.</p> </div> </div><h5>Nehemiah 1:4-6</h5> <div class="esv-text"> <p id="p16001004.03-2">As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned.</p> </div><h5>Psalm 113:4-6</h5> <div class="esv-text"><div class="block-indent"> <p class="line-group" id="p19113004.01-3">The <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> is high above all nations,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and his glory above the heavens!<br /> Who is like the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> our God,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>who is seated on high,<br /> who looks far down<br /> <span class="indent"></span>on the heavens and the earth? (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> </div> </div>
[^fnref:wlc6]: <div class="esv"><h5>Acts 12:5</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p44012005.01-1">So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.</p> </div><h5>1 Timothy 2:1-2</h5> <div class="esv-text"> <p id="p54002001.05-2"><span class="chapter-num" id="v54002001-2">2:1 </span>First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.</p> </div><h5>Ephesians 6:18</h5> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p49006018.01-3">praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> </div>