What rule has God given for our direction in prayer?

The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer, (1 John 5:14) but the special rule of direction is that prayer which Christ taught His disciples, commonly called the Lord’s Prayer

Matt. 6:9–13; Luke 11:2–4

What does the preface of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?

The preface of the Lord’s Prayer, which is “Our Father in heaven,” (Matt. 6:9), teaches us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us; (Luke 11:13; Rom. 8:15) and that we should pray with and for others

Acts 12:5; 1 Tim. 2:1–2

What do we pray for in the first petition?

In the first petition, which is, “Hallowed be your name,” (Matt. 6:9) we pray that God would enable us and others to glorify Him in all that whereby He makes Himself known, (Psa. 67:2–3) and that He would dispose all things to His own glory. (Psa. 83 throughout; *

What do we pray for in the second petition?

In the second petition, which is, “Your kingdom come,” (Matt. 6:10), we pray that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed, (Psa. 68:1, 18) and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, (Rev. 12:10–11), ourselves and others brought into it and kept in it, (John 17:19–20; Rom. 10: 1; 2 Thess. 3:1) and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened

Rev. 22:10

What do we pray for in the third petition?

In the third petition, which is, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” (Matt. 6:10) we pray that God by His grace would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to His will in all things, (2 Sam. 15:25; Job 1:21; Pss. 67: throughout; 119:36) as the angels do in heaven

Psa. 103:20–21

What do we pray for in the fourth petition?

In the fourth petition, which is, “Give us this day our daily bread,” (Matt. 6:11) 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

Gen 28:20; Prov. 30:8; 1 Tim. 4:4–5

What do we pray for in the fifth petition?

In the fifth petition, which is, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,” (Matt. 6:12) we pray that God, for Christ’s sake, would freely pardon all our sins, (Psa. 51:1–2, 7, 9; Dan. 9:17–19) which we are rather encouraged to ask because by His grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others

Matt. 18:35; Luke 11:4

What do we pray for in the sixth petition?

In the sixth petition, which is, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” (Matt. 6:13) we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, (Matt. 26:41) or support and deliver us when we are tempted

2 Cor. 12:8

What does the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer teach?

The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, “For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen,” (Matt. 6:13) teaches us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only, (Dan. 9:4, 7–9, 16–19) and in our prayers to praise Him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory, to Him. (1 Chron. 29:10-13) And in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard, we say, “Amen.”

1 Cor. 4:16; Rev. 22:20–21