Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

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;a but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord’s Prayer.b

What rule has God given for our direction in prayer?

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

  1. 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

  2. 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

Diff style

Changes in The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 106

The Baptist Catechism (1695), 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 form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called the Lord’s prayer.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), 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.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), 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.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 106

What rule has 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.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (modernized) (1647), Question 99

What rule has 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.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 106

What rule has 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.

Related (6)

Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 183

For whom are we to pray?

We are to pray for the whole church of Christ upon earth; for magistrates, and ministers; for ourselves, our brethren, yea, our enemies; and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor for those that are known to have sinned the sin unto death.

Question 184

For what things are we to pray?

We are to pray for all things tending to the glory of God, the welfare of the church, our own or others good; but not for anything that is unlawful.

Question 185

How are we to pray?

We are to pray with an awful apprehension of the majesty of God, and deep sense of our own unworthiness, necessities, and sins; with penitent, thankful, and enlarged hearts; with understanding, faith, sincerity, fervency, love, and perseverance, waiting upon him, with humble submission to his will.

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; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which our Savior Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord’s prayer.

Question 187

How is the Lord’s prayer to be used?

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.

Question 188

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

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

Commentaries (9)

  • Joseph Alleine, 1672, A Most Familiar Explanation of the Assemblies Shorter Catechism

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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
  • Alexander Whyte, 1883, A Commentary on the Shorter Catechism

    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
  • Benjamin Beddome, 1752, A Scriptural Exposition of the Baptist Catechism

    On The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 106, which adapts 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