The Westminster Shorter Catechism

Questions 101–107The Lord’s Prayer

English text of 1647

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Wikisource transcription of the 1647 English text; source edition not documented; formatting and a known Q85 omission are normalized. Source: Wikisource transcription.

The catechism was first published in 1647; this edition reproduces its historical English text. Rights evidence. Verified 2026-07-14.

101

What do we pray for in the first petition?

In the first petition, which is, Hallowed be thy name, we pray, that God would enable us, and others, to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself knowna; and that he would dispose all things to his own gloryb.

Scripture proofs

aPs. 67:1-3; 99:3; 100:3-4

bRom. 11:33-36; Rev. 4:11

102

What do we pray for in the second petition?

In the second petition, which is, Thy kingdom come, we pray, that Satan's kingdom may be destroyeda; and that the kingdom of grace may be advancedb, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in itc; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastenedd.

aMatt. 12:25-28; Rom. 16:20; I John 3:8

bPs. 72:8-11; Matt. 24:14; I Cor. 15:24-25

cPs. 119:5; Luke 22:32; II Thess. 3:1-5

dRev. 22:20

103

What do we pray for in the third petition?

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 thingsa, as the angels do in heavenb.

aPs. 19:14; 119; I Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:20-21

bPs. 103:20-21; Heb. 1:14

104

What do we pray for in the fourth petition?

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 thema.

aProv. 30:8-9; Matt. 6:31-34; Phil. 4:11, 19; I Tim. 6:6-8

105

What do we pray for in the fifth petition?

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 sinsa; which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive othersb.

aPs. 51:1-2, 7, 9; Dan. 9:17-19; I John 1:7

bMatt. 18:21-35; Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13

106

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, we pray, that God would either keep us from being tempted to sina, or support and deliver us when we are temptedb.

aPs. 19:13; Matt. 26:41; John 17:15

bLuke 22:31-32; I Cor. 10:13; II Cor. 12:7-9; Heb. 2:18

107

What doth the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer teach us?

The conclusion of the Lord's Prayer, which is, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen. teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God onlya, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to himb; and, in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.c

aDan. 9:4, 7-9, 16-19; Luke 18:1, 7-8

bI Chron. 29:10-13; I Tim. 1:17; Rev. 5:11-13

cI Cor. 14:16; Rev. 22:20