Even those who are black belts find it worthwhile to do the most white belt katas despite knowing the most rigorous moves and expert-level defenses. For the Christian the Lord’s Prayer finds a similar role. Whenever we get confused about how we can go about asking God for help the Lord’s Prayer is the perfect place to rest in familiar words which express in beautiful prose the elements of a believer’s faith.

Nearly all Reformed and Presbyterian churches say the Lord’s Prayer every week as a part of their order of service. I’d even venture to guess that those who do recite it, do so in unison as a congregation with the minister or an elder leading that devotional exercise. The catechism is asking us today some questions, and providing some answers, as to why we do that, why it is a good thing, and how we can ensure to do that better and with more feeling as the time rolls on.

I’ve said before that prayer is the lifeblood of a church. A church that does not pray does not really believe in God. That sounds harsh, but to be fair how can you say that your faith has made you well if you don’t talk to the one who healed you? People, and especially groups of people, who don’t pray together are like the nine lepers who did not return to say thank you to Jesus. Prayer expresses our heartfelt desire to be the Lord’s sons and daughters by the adoption of grace. Our Heavenly Father, as the preface of the Lord’s Prayer makes obvious, is the source of all joy, love, and peace which we experience in the Christian life. He has shown us that not only in giving us eternal life despite our wickedness, but has, as Q.187 notes, granted us a foolproof way to witness our thanksgiving through prayer. He provides not only the means, but the manner as well. Here is one way that Jehovah shows His love for us, and His fatherhood in protecting and supplying food for faith.

Here are the Q/A’s for today:

Q. 187. How is the Lord’s prayer to be used?

A. The Lord’s prayer is not only for direction, as a pattern, according to which we are to make other prayers; but may also be used as a prayer, so that it be done with understanding, faith, reverence, and other graces necessary to the right performance of the duty of prayer.

Q. 188. Of how many parts doth the Lord’s prayer consist?

A. The Lord’s prayer consists of three parts; a preface, petitions, and a conclusion.

Going back to the basics is always helpful in life, as much as it is in the grace of Christ.

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