Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 186

What rule hath God given for our direction in the duty of prayer?

The whole word of God is of use to direct us in the duty of prayer;^a but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which our Savior Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord’s prayer.^b

What rule has God given for our direction in the duty of prayer?

a. 1 John 5:14
1 John 5:14
^5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
^5:14 And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
King James VersionBerean Standard Bible
b. Matthew 6:9–13; Luke 11:2–4
Matthew 6:9–13
^6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. ^6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. ^6:11 Give us this day our daily bread. ^6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. ^6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
^6:9 So then, this is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. ^6:10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ^6:11 Give us this day our daily bread. ^6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ^6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'
Luke 11:2–4
^11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. ^11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread. ^11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
^11:2 So Jesus told them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. ^11:3 Give us each day our daily bread. ^11:4 And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'"
King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Related (2)

The Baptist Catechism (1695), parallel to this question

Question 106

What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?

The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but the special rule of direction is that prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called the Lord’s prayer.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 99

What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?

The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord’s Prayer.

Commentaries (9)

Joseph Alleine, 1672, A Most Familiar Explanation of the Assemblies Shorter Catechism
On Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 99, parallel to this question
What rule hath God given for our direction in Prayer? The whole word of God is of use to direct us in Prayer; but the special rule of direction is, that form of Prayerwhich Christ…
Joseph Alleine’s text
Thomas Lye, 1672, The Assemblies Shorter Catechism Drawn out into Distinct Propositions
On Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 99, parallel to this question
What Rule hath God given us, for our Direction in Prayer? The whole word of God is of use to direct us in Prayer, but the special Rule of Direction, is that Form of Prayer, which…
Thomas Lye’s text
Thomas Vincent, 1673, An Explicatory Catechism
On Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 99, parallel to this question
What Rule hath God given us for direction in Prayer? The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in Prayer; but the special Rule of direction is that form of Prayer which Christ…
Thomas Vincent’s text
1675, An Explicatory Catechism
On Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 99, parallel to this question
What rule hath God given for our direction in Prayer? The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in Prayer; but the special rule of Direction is that Form of Prayer which Christ…
Its text
John Flavel, 1692, An Exposition of the Assembly’s Catechism
On Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 99, parallel to this question
What Rule hath God given for our direction in the Duty of Prayer? The whole Word of God is of use to direct us 〈◊〉 Prayer; but the special Rule of Direction is that form of…
John Flavel’s text
Thomas Watson, 1692, A Body of Practical Divinity
On Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 99, parallel to this question
Having (through the good providence of God) gone over the chief Grounds and Fundamentals of Religion, and enlarged upon the Decalogue or Ten Commandments, I shall now at the…
Thomas Watson’s text
Matthew Henry, 1703, A Scripture Catechism
On Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 99, parallel to this question
What Rule hath God given for our Direction in Prayer? The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in Prayer, but the special Rule of Direction is that Form of Prayer which Christ…
Matthew Henry’s text
Benjamin Beddome, 1752, A Scriptural Exposition of the Baptist Catechism
On The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 106, parallel to this question
Do we need direction in prayer? Yes. For we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness, Is the Lord’s prayer of singular use as a directory for prayer? Yes. After this manner…
Benjamin Beddome’s text
Alexander Whyte, 1883, A Commentary on the Shorter Catechism
On Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 99, parallel to this question
The whole word of God—It is a most interesting and instructive study to trace how one psalm or prayer is incorporated with another, and how the matter and language of prayer thus…
Alexander Whyte’s text