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Date: Thu, 5 Oct 1995 20:22:02 +0100
Reply-To: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel
Sender: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel
From: Teus Benschop
Subject: Catechism, 37
To: Multiple recipients of list CHR-EXP
Q. To whom must we pray for this?
A. Not to any creature, but to God alone, who can help us, and will hear
us for Jesus Christ's sake.
This question is the continuation of the previous answer. It spoke of
the good works, and our duty to do them. They who are converted to God
try to live according all commandments, and constantly pray to God that
they may daily increase therein. To Whom must we pray for this? Not to
any creature, but to God alone. God can and will help us, for Christ's
sake.
Q. In whose name must we pray to God?
A. Only in the name of Christ, John 16:23, and not in the name of any
saints.
Saints, however holy they might have been, cannot be our mediators
between God and us. Praying to God in the saints' name is vain; no, it
is idolatry. Only in the Name of Christ, we have access to God. Listen
to Christ, Who said: "I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father
in my name, he will give [it] you". (John 16:23) And in another place,
we read: "Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access
with confidence by the faith of him." (Ephesians 3:11,12)
Q. What must we pray to God for?
A. For all things necessary for soul and body, which Christ our Lord has
comprised in the prayer, he himself has taught us.
The disciples said to Christ: "Lord, teach us to pray". They did not
trust their own words, but they wished to have God's words. Christ laid
the words of the perfect prayer in their mouths, when He taught His
disciples to pray. If we wish to have the perfect example, according
which our prayers have to be, we should listen to the prayer Christ
gave.
Q. What are the words of that prayer?
A.
Our Father which art in heaven,
1 Hallowed be thy name.
2 Thy kingdom come.
3 Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
4 Give us this day our daily bread.
5 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
6 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
This prayer begins with an opening. We pray to "our Father Which is in
heaven". In the middle, we find six entreaties. The first prayer is that
God's Name may be hallowed, and the second that His kingdom may come.
The third asks that God's will may be done on earth, like it is done in
heaven. The first three entreaties ask that God may be gloried. The last
three prayers ask things for ourselves. "Give us our daily bread",
"forgive our sins", "lead us not into temptation". It ends with praising
God, when it says: "For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, forever. Amen".
Q. What do you desire of God in this prayer?
A. That all things which tend to the glory of God, may be promoted, and
whatsoever is repugnant thereto, or contrary to his will, may be
prevented. 2. That he may provide me with all things necessary for the
body, and as to my soul, preserve me from all evil, which might in any
wise be detrimental to my salvation. Amen.
God created man. Their purpose was to glory God. Also in this prayer, in
the beginning it is asked that God may be honoured. All things which
tend to His glory must be promoted. And, on the contrary, all things
which are repugnant to that, must be prevented. That is the first part
of the prayer. In the second part, we pray for things necessary for our
life on earth. We pray for things both for body and soul. Also that we
may be preserved from evil, and that our salvation may be promoted.
Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
And blessed [be] his glorious name for ever:
and let the whole earth be filled [with] his glory;
Amen, and Amen.
Philippians 4:6, Psalms 72:19
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Teus Benschop -- t.benschop@pobox.ruu.nl
Listowner of chr-exp@nic.surfnet.nl
"A Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel"
Institute Practical Bible-education
Web: http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/ipb-e/ipbe-home.html
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file: /pub/resources/text/ipb-e/cate: cat-037.txt
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