Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 191

What do we pray for in the second petition?

In the second petition (which is, Thy kingdom come,)a acknowledging ourselves and all mankind to be by nature under the dominion of sin and Satan,b we pray, that the kingdom of sin and Satan may be destroyed,c the gospel propagated throughout the world,d the Jews called,e the fulness of the Gentiles brought in;f the church furnished with all gospel officers and ordinances,g purged from corruption,h countenanced and maintained by the civil magistrate:i that the ordinances of Christ may be purely dispensed, and made effectual to the converting of those that are yet in their sins, and the confirming, comforting, and building up of those that are already converted:j that Christ would rule in our hearts here,k and hasten the time of his second coming, and our reigning with him forever:l and that he would be pleased so to exercise the kingdom of his power in all the world, as may best conduce to these ends.m

What do we pray for in the second petition?

In the second petition (which is, Your kingdom come,)a acknowledging ourselves and all mankind to be by nature under the dominion of sin and Satan,b we pray, that the kingdom of sin and Satan may be destroyed,c the gospel propagated throughout the world,d the Jews called,e the fullness of the Gentiles brought in;f the church furnished with all gospel officers and ordinances,g purged from corruption,h countenanced and maintained by the civil magistrate:i that the ordinances of Christ may be purely dispensed, and made effectual to the converting of those that are yet in their sins, and the confirming, comforting, and building up of those that are already converted:j that Christ would rule in our hearts here,k and hasten the time of his second coming, and our reigning with him forever:l and that he would be pleased so to exercise the kingdom of his power in all the world, as may best conduce to these ends.m

  1. a. Matthew 6:10

    Matthew 6:10

    6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

    6:10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. Ephesians 2:2–3

    Ephesians 2:2–3

    2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

    2:2 in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. 2:3 All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. Psalm 68:1, 18; Revelation 12:10–11

    Psalm 68:1; Psalm 68:18

    68:1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.

    68:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A song. God arises. His enemies are scattered, and those who hate Him flee His presence. 68:18 You have ascended on high; You have led captives away. You have received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.

    Revelation 12:10–11

    12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

    12:10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down-he who accuses them day and night before our God. 12:11 They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  4. d. 2 Thessalonians 3:1

    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.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  5. e. Romans 10:1

    Romans 10:1

    10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

    10:1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  6. f. John 17:9, 20; Romans 11:25–26; Psalm 67

    John 17:9; John 17:20

    17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

    17:9 I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours. 17:20 I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message,

    Romans 11:25–26

    11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

    11:25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 11:26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob.

    Psalm 67

    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. 67:5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 67:6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. 67:7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

    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 67:5 Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You. 67:6 The earth has yielded its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. 67:7 God blesses us, that all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  7. g. Matthew 9:38; 2 Thessalonians 3:1

    Matthew 9:38

    9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

    9:38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest."

    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.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  8. h. Malachi 1:11; Zephaniah 3:9

    Malachi 1:11

    1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.

    1:11 For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations," says the LORD of Hosts.

    Zephaniah 3:9

    3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.

    3:9 For then I will restore pure lips to the peoples, that all may call upon the name of the LORD and serve Him shoulder to shoulder.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  9. i. 1 Timothy 2:1–2

    1 Timothy 2:1–2

    2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

    2:1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone- 2:2 for kings and all those in authority-so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  10. j. Acts 4:29–30; Ephesians 6:18–20; Romans 15:29–30, 32; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; 2:16–17

    Acts 4:29–30

    4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

    4:29 And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness, 4:30 as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus."

    Ephesians 6:18–20

    6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

    6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints. 6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, 6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.

    Romans 15:29–30; Romans 15:32

    15:29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; 15:32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

    15:29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. 15:30 Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 15:32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.

    2 Thessalonians 1:11

    1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

    1:11 To this end, we always pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of His calling, and that He will powerfully fulfill your every good desire and work of faith,

    2 Thessalonians 2:16–17

    2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 2:17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

    2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who by grace has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope, 2:17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good word and deed.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  11. k. Ephesians 3:14–20

    Ephesians 3:14–20

    3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

    3:14 ... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 3:15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 3:16 I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, 3:18 will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth 3:19 of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  12. l. Revelation 22:20

    Revelation 22:20

    22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

    22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  13. m. Isaiah 64:1–2; Revelation 4:8–11

    Isaiah 64:1–2

    64:1 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, 64:2 As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!

    64:1 If only You would rend the heavens and come down, so that mountains would quake at Your presence, 64:2 as fire kindles the brushwood and causes the water to boil, to make Your name known to Your enemies, so that the nations will tremble at Your presence!

    Revelation 4:8–11

    4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

    4:8 And each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around and within. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" 4:9 And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne who lives forever and ever, 4:10 the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 4:11 "Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and came to be."

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Related (2)

The Baptist Catechism (1695), parallel to this question

Question 109

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 destroyed, and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced ourselves and others brought into it and kept in it, and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 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 destroyed; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.

Commentaries (9)