LORD’S DAY 46
Q. 120. Why hath Christ commanded us to address God thus: “Our Father”?
A. That immediately, in the very beginning of our prayer, He might excite in us a childlike reverence for and confidence in God, which are the foundation of our prayer, namely, that God is become our Father in Christ, 1 and will much less deny us what we ask of Him in true faith than our parents will refuse us earthly things.2 That immediately, in the very beginning of our prayer, He might excite in us a childlike reverence for and confidence in God, which are the foundation of our prayer, namely, that God is become our Father in Christ, 1 and will much less deny us what we ask of Him in true faith than our parents will refuse us earthly things.2
- Mat. 6:9.
- Mat. 7:9-11. Luke 11:11. Isa. 49:15.
Q. 121. Why is it here added, “Which art in heaven”?
A. Lest we should form any earthly conceptions of God’s heavenly majesty,1 and that we may expect from His almighty power all things necessary for soul and body.2 Lest we should form any earthly conceptions of God’s heavenly majesty,1 and that we may expect from His almighty power all things necessary for soul and body.2
- Jer. 23:24.
- Acts 17:24. Rom. 10:12.
LORD’S DAY 46
Addressing God in Prayer
1. Why has Jesus commanded us to address God thus: “Our Father”?
That immediately, in the very beginning of our prayer, He might excite in us a childlike reverence for and confidence in God.
2. Why is it necessary to begin our prayers with childlike reverence for and confidence in God?
Such reverence and confidence are the foundation of our prayer.
3. But is God really our Father?
God is become our Father in Christ, through whose blood we have been adopted by God to be His very own children. Galatians 4:5, 6.
4. If God is our Father, of what can we be confident?
He will much less deny us what we ask of Him in true faith, than our parents will refuse us earthly things. Matthew 7:9-11; Isaiah 49:15.
5. Why is it added, “Which art in heaven”?
Lest we should form any earthly conceptions of God’s heavenly majesty. Isaiah 40:18.
6. What assurance is ours when we address God as our Father “which art in heaven”?
We are encouraged to expect from God’s almighty power all things necessary for body and soul. Romans 10:12.