Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 190

What do we pray for in the first petition?

In the first petition (which is, Hallowed be thy name,)a acknowledging the utter inability and indisposition that is in ourselves and all men to honor God aright,b we pray, that God would by his grace enable and incline us and others to know, to acknowledge, and highly to esteem him,c his titles,d attributes,e ordinances, word,f works, and whatsoever he is pleased to make himself known by;g and to glorify him in thought, word,h and deed:i that he would prevent and remove atheism,j ignorance,k idolatry,l profaneness,m and whatsoever is dishonorable to him;n and, by his overruling providence, direct and dispose of all things to his own glory.o

What do we pray for in the first petition?

In the first petition (which is, Hallowed be your name,)a acknowledging the utter inability and indisposition that is in ourselves and all men to honor God aright,b we pray, that God would by his grace enable and incline us and others to know, to acknowledge, and highly to esteem him,c his titles,d attributes,e ordinances, word,f works, and whatsoever he is pleased to make himself known by;g and to glorify him in thought, word,h and deed:i that he would prevent and remove atheism,j ignorance,k idolatry,l profaneness,m and whatsoever is dishonorable to him;n and, by his overruling providence, direct and dispose of all things to his own glory.o

  1. a. Matthew 6:9

    Matthew 6:9

    6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

    6:9 So then, this is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. 2 Corinthians 3:5

    2 Corinthians 3:5

    3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

    3:5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. Psalm 67:2–3

    Psalm 67:2–3

    67:2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. 67:3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

    67:2 that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. 67:3 Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  4. d. Psalm 83:18

    Psalm 83:18

    83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth.

    83:18 May they know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, are Most High over all the earth.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  5. e. Psalm 86:10–13, 15

    Psalm 86:10–13; Psalm 86:15

    86:10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. 86:11 Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. 86:12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. 86:13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

    86:10 For You are great and perform wonders; You alone are God. 86:11 Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name. 86:12 I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever. 86:13 For great is Your loving devotion to me; You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol. 86:15 But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  6. f. 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Psalms 147:19–20; 138:1–3; 2 Corinthians 2:14–15

    2 Thessalonians 3:1

    3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

    3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you.

    Psalm 147:19–20

    147:19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. 147:20 He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord.

    147:19 He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and judgments to Israel. 147:20 He has done this for no other nation; they do not know His judgments. Hallelujah!

    Psalm 138:1–3

    138:1 I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. 138:3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

    138:1 Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises. 138:2 I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else. 138:3 On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.

    2 Corinthians 2:14–15

    2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

    2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. 2:15 For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  7. g. Psalm 145

    Psalm 145

    145:1 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. 145:2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. 145:3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. 145:4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. 145:5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. 145:6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. 145:7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. 145:8 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 145:9 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 145:10 All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee. 145:11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; 145:12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. 145:13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. 145:14 The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. 145:15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. 145:16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. 145:17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. 145:18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. 145:19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. 145:20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. 145:21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

    145:1 A Psalm of praise. Of David. I will exalt You, my God and King; I will bless Your name forever and ever. 145:2 Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. 145:3 Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable. 145:4 One generation will commend Your works to the next, and will proclaim Your mighty acts- 145:5 the glorious splendor of Your majesty. And I will meditate on Your wondrous works. 145:6 They will proclaim the power of Your awesome deeds, and I will declare Your greatness. 145:7 They will extol the fame of Your abundant goodness and sing joyfully of Your righteousness. 145:8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion. 145:9 The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made. 145:10 All You have made will give You thanks, O LORD, and Your saints will bless You. 145:11 They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, 145:12 to make known to men Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom. 145:13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful in all His words and kind in all His actions. 145:14 The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. 145:15 The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in season. 145:16 You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. 145:17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth. 145:19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. 145:20 The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. 145:21 My mouth will declare the praise of the LORD; let every creature bless His holy name forever and ever.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  8. h. Psalms 103:1; 19:14

    Psalm 103:1

    103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

    103:1 Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name.

    Psalm 19:14

    19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

    19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  9. i. Philippians 1:9, 11

    Philippians 1:9; Philippians 1:11

    1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

    1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 1:11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  10. j. Psalm 67:1–4

    Psalm 67:1–4

    67:1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. 67:2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. 67:3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 67:4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

    67:1 For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song. May God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah 67:2 that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. 67:3 Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You. 67:4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You judge the peoples justly and lead the nations of the earth. Selah

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  11. k. Ephesians 1:17–18

    Ephesians 1:17–18

    1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

    1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. 1:18 I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  12. l. Psalm 97:7

    Psalm 97:7

    97:7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

    97:7 All worshipers of images are put to shame-those who boast in idols. Worship Him, all you gods!

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  13. m. Psalm 74:18, 22–23

    Psalm 74:18; Psalm 74:22–23

    74:18 Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O Lord, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name. 74:22 Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily. 74:23 Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.

    74:18 Remember how the enemy has mocked You, O LORD, how a foolish people has spurned Your name. 74:22 Rise up, O God; defend Your cause! Remember how the fool mocks You all day long. 74:23 Do not disregard the clamor of Your adversaries, the uproar of Your enemies that ascends continually.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  14. n. 2 Kings 19:15–16

    2 Kings 19:15–16

    19:15 And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said, O Lord God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. 19:16 Lord, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, Lord, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.

    19:15 And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: "O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. 19:16 Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see. Listen to the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  15. o. 2 Chronicles 20:6, 10–12; Psalms 83; 140:4, 8

    2 Chronicles 20:6; 2 Chronicles 20:10–12

    20:6 And said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? 20:10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; 20:11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. 20:12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

    20:6 and said, "O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You. 20:10 And now, here are the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt; but Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them. 20:11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession that You gave us as an inheritance. 20:12 Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."

    Psalm 83

    83:1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. 83:2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. 83:3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. 83:4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. 83:5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: 83:6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; 83:7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; 83:8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah. 83:9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison: 83:10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth. 83:11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna: 83:12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession. 83:13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind. 83:14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire; 83:15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm. 83:16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O Lord. 83:17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish: 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth.

    83:1 A song. A Psalm of Asaph. O God, be not silent; be not speechless; be not still, O God. 83:2 See how Your enemies rage, how Your foes have reared their heads. 83:3 With cunning they scheme against Your people and conspire against those You cherish, 83:4 saying, "Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more." 83:5 For with one mind they plot together, they form an alliance against You- 83:6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, 83:7 of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia with the people of Tyre. 83:8 Even Assyria has joined them, lending strength to the sons of Lot. Selah 83:9 Do to them as You did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the River Kishon, 83:10 who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground. 83:11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 83:12 who said, "Let us possess for ourselves the pastures of God." 83:13 Make them like tumbleweed, O my God, like chaff before the wind. 83:14 As fire consumes a forest, as a flame sets the mountains ablaze, 83:15 so pursue them with Your tempest, and terrify them with Your storm. 83:16 Cover their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O LORD. 83:17 May they be ever ashamed and terrified; may they perish in disgrace. 83:18 May they know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, are Most High over all the earth.

    Psalm 140:4; Psalm 140:8

    140:4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. 140:8 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.

    140:4 Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble. 140:8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not promote their evil plans, lest they be exalted. Selah

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Related (2)

The Baptist Catechism (1695), parallel to this question

Question 108

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 known, and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 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 known; and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.

Commentaries (9)