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Lord’s Day Schedule‡

  • Sabbath School—9:45 a.m.
  • Morning Worship—10:45 a.m.
  • Afternoon Worship—2:00 p.m.
  • ‡ Regular schedule temporarily suspended.

Notes from Sabbath School: WLC #186

Notes from Sabbath School on the Larger Catechism, WLC #186 — What rule hath God given for our direction in the duty of prayer?

WLC #186 — Q. What rule hath God given for our direction in the duty of prayer?
A: The whole word of God is of use to direct us in the duty of prayer;1 but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which our Savior Christ taught his disciples, commonly called “The Lord’s Prayer.”2
  1. We need a rule to guide us in prayer.
    • Because our hearts and minds are clouded by sin.
    • Bcause we cannot know what is pleasing to God in prayer apart from His revealing that to us.
  2. The revelation of how we are to pray.
    • It is not found in natural revelation — left there we should certainly go astray.
    • It is in the Scriptures alone.
  3. The Bible is our rule for direction in prayer.
    1. Generally — in the sum of the doctrines taught therein.
    2. Specially — when the Scriptures speak to the specific doctrine of prayer.
    3. Formally — in the giving of a form of prayer to be a pattern for our prayers.
  4. The meaning of calling the model prayer, “The *Lord’s* Prayer”
    • It is not meant to imply that this was a prayer prayed by Christ.
    • When we call it “The Lord’s Prayer” we mean to say that it is the prayer given us by the Lord Christ. It is from Him; He is its source and so it belongs to Him. It is that prayer which the Lord gave us and, thus, the *Lord’s* Prayer.
  5. The differences between the parallel passages.
    • The Lord’s Prayer is found in Matthew 6 and in Luke 11, but there are differences between the two.
    • These differences are due in part to the fact that this teaching on prayer was delivered by Christ on more than one occasion.

  1. 1 John 5:14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. 

  2. Matt. 6:9-13. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Luke 11:2-4. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is endebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. 

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