Good Afternoon,
In some ways these last two sets of Shorter Catechism questions feel like we are running out of time. Gotta get through these to meet the deadline, yet it is helpful sometimes not to dwell too much on a subject. It can become stale and musty. Though when you are dealing with the word of the Lord directly, as these inquiries on the Lord’s Prayer do one has to admit that there is no bottom to what you are able to learn from even the barest letter written and given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ. That is one of the beauties of Heaven. We will spend eternity drinking from the never ending well of the rich water of His love. Each petition could handle a week of its own, but that is not what we have before us so without further adieu let’s look at this week’s Q/A’s:
Q. 103. What do we pray for in the third petition?
A. In the third petition (which is, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven) we pray, that God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things, as the angels do in heaven.
Q. 104. What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
A. In the fourth petition (which is, Give us this day our daily bread) we pray, that of God’s free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy his blessing with them.
Q. 105. What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
A. In the fifth petition (which is And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors ) we pray, that God, for Christ’s sake, would freely pardon all our sins; which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.
There is some logic to handling the questions in the groupings we have them in. The first two petitions dealt with adoration, the second focuses on the work of the Lord for us, and the third will handle the supplications and desires we have daily. So with that being said let’s spend a couple hundred words on each Q/A and then bring it home with a conclusion.
In Q.103 which covers Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven we have a wonderful illustration about what this means from Christ Himself. “Not My Will, But Thy Will Be Done”. A key, if not foundational, part of the believer’s faith is humbling oneself before the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. It is the beginning and end of all obedience to the law and resting in Jesus in life and death. The Apostle in Hebrews 4 lays this out for us in reminding the people of God that they are not to find felicity either in the works of the flesh or in the old covenant festivals. For having the Lamb present means that when God’s word is spoken we receive in love and seek to apply it not in mind only, but in heart as well. To pray this petition means to rid oneself of the fiction that we are masters of our own destiny and instead give all of ourselves to Him. It bears itself out in the way in which we seek to be conformed to the Son, are we diligent seekers of being made Christlike or are we drudgerously obeying as if by force? If the latter is the case then we are sinning against this petition. We are to yearn for the Lord’s law as the heartbeat of our faith and love.
The next question, #104, we are asking the Lord to give us what He promises. It is not a mere inquiring of spiritual matters (though it is that), but of the material things of this life as well. It is okay to pursue in prayer food, water, shelter, and clothing. However what this petition is really about is how we go about this. Are we Veruca Salting it or are we Hannah, wife of Elkanahing it? In other words are we asking for our own benefit or pleading for the Lord’s gifts in light of His covenant promises? There is a big difference there. It is the difference between being a spoiled, self-indulgent, self-expecting brat and being thankful in the mercy of God. Hannah goes to the Tabernacle, making use of the means of grace, despite the mocking of Eli, and faithfully seeks of the Lord for a Son, neither presuming nor supposing a deserving attitude. The Lord gives, and all things belong to the Lord, as her prayer of thanksgiving testifies to her understanding. That is why as soon as she receives an answer she dedicates young Samuel to Jehovah, for from Him he came, and to Him he will return, blessed be the name of the LORD. So as we ask God for our daily bread we need to do so in expectation, not with silver spoons in our mouth, but with comprehension of the goodness of God in our heart.
Lastly, #105 teaches us something about why we are to approach the Almighty on our knees and with head bowed. For He is the one who has rescued us from our sins. He has granted us new life in His Son, and we have done nothing to earn or deserve His praise, yet that gift was out of His love for us and so as we consider our prayers for our needs we must forever keep all that in mind. The redemption purchased by Christ on our behalf as our Covenant-keeper is the source of the humility by which we approach the Lord. Secondly out of this question it provides a good transition to our prayers for others. Why do we intercede on the behalf of friends as well as enemies? Because God has loved us with a perfect love and has forgiven us much. Those who are forgiven much are called to forgive much. A heart which selfishly receives compassion and refuses to give it to others is a person who knows nothing of Jesus Christ, and in the words of our Savior is worse than an unbeliever. Ungraciousness is wickedness.
In closing, we’ve barely even scratched the protective covering over the surface, let alone the surface itself. So much more can be, and has been much better said by others. Below is a link to a helpful conversation on these matters:
https://rts.edu/resources/how-to-pray-3-daily-bread/
Blessings in Christ,
Rev. Benjamin Glaser
Pastor, Bethany ARP Church