2.8 KiB
Lord’s Day 52
127. Q. What does the sixth petition mean?
A. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” means: We are so weak that we cannot stand on our own for a moment,1 and our sworn enemies—the devil,2 the world,3 and our own flesh 4—never stop attacking us. And so, Lord, uphold us and make us strong by the power of your Holy Spirit, so that we may not be defeated in this spiritual fight,5 but may firmly resist our enemies until we finally win the complete victory.6
1 Ps. 103:14–16; John 15:1–5 2 2 Cor. 11:14; Eph. 6:10–13; 1 Pet. 5:8 3 John 15:18–21 4 Rom. 7:23; Gal. 5:17 5 Matt. 10:19–20; 26:41; Mark 13:33; Rom. 5:3–5 6 1 Cor. 10:13; 1 Thess. 3:13; 5:23
128. Q. How do you conclude this prayer?
A. “For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” This means we have made all these petitions of you because, as our all-powerful king, you are both willing and able to give us all that is good;1 and because your holy name, and not we ourselves, should receive all the praise, forever.2
1 Rom. 10:11–13; 2 Pet. 2:9 2 Ps. 115:1; John 14:13
129. Q. What does that little word “Amen” express?
A. “Amen” means: This shall truly and surely be! For it is much more certain that God has heard my prayer than I feel in my heart that I desire such things from him.1