The Heidelberg Catechism offers some practical ideas to our prayer life by explaining the details of the Lord's Prayer.

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN.

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 our Father will even less refuse to give us what we ask in faith.

Why the words "in heaven"?

These words teach us not to think of God's heavenly majesty as something earthly, and to expect everything for body and soul from his almighty power.

HALLOWED BE THY NAME

Hallowed be Thy 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- what we think, say, and do- so that your name will never be blasphemed because of us but always honoured and praised.

THY KINGDOM COME

Thy kingdom come, means, Rule by your Word and spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to you.

Keep your church strong, and add to it.

Destroy the devil's work; destroy every force which revolts against you; and every conspiracy against your word.

Do this until your kingdom is so complete and perfect that in it you are all in all.

THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

Thy will be done on earth as it is heaven means,

Help us and all people to reject our own wills and to obey your will without any back talk. Your will alone is good.

Help us one and all to carry out the work we are called to, as willingly and faithfully as the angels in heaven.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD

Do take care of all our physical needs so that we come to know that you are the only source of everything good, and that neither our work and worry nor your gifts can do us any good without your blessing.

And so help us to give up our trust in creatures and to put trust in your alone.

FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS

Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors means,

Because of Christ's blood, do not hold against us, poor sinners that we are, any of the sins we do or the evil that constantly clings to us. Forgive us just as we are fully determined, as evidence of your grace in us, to forgive our neighbours.

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil means. By ourselves we are too weak to hold our own even for a moment.

And our sworn enemies- The devil, the world, and our own flesh- never stop attacking us.

And so, Lord, uphold us and make us strong With the strength of your Holy Spirit, so that we may not go down to defeat In this spiritual struggle, but may firmly resist our enemies until we finally win the complete victory.

FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER AND EVER.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever and ever means,

We have made all these requests of you because, as our all-powerful king, you not only want to, but are able to give us all that is good; and because your holy name, and not we ourselves, should receive all the praise, forever.

Use this outline as a pattern for your own prayers, and see the difference it will make.

Sincerely in Christ,


Floyd McPhee