A Scripture Catechism
in the
Method of the Assembly's

by Matthew Henry

Q. 100. What does the preface of the Lord's Prayer teach us?
A. The preface of the Lord's Prayer, which is, Our Father which art in heaven, teaches us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a Father able and ready to help us, and that we should pray with and for others.

1. Is God our Father? Yes: Doubtless thou art our Father, Isa. 63:16. Does he appoint us to call him so? Yes: Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My Father, thou art the guide of my youth, Jer. 3:4. Is he our Father by creation? Yes: Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us? Mal. 2:10. And by redemption? Yes: Is not he thy Father that bought thee? Deut. 32:6. And by adoption? Yes: I will be a Father to them, 2 Cor. 6:18.

2. Is God a wise Father? Yes: the Father of lights, Jam. 1:17. Is he a gracious Father? Yes: the Father of mercies, 2 Cor. 1:3. Is he our soul's Father? Yes: the Father of spirits, Heb. 12:9. Is he the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? Yes: I bow my knee to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Eph. 3:14. Is he in him our Father? Yes: I ascend to my Father, and your Father, John 20:17.

3. Are we in prayer to call God Father? Yes; crying Abba, Father, Gal. 4:6. And to esteem him as a Father? Yes: I will arise and go to my Father, and say unto him, Father, Luke 15:18. And is this comfortable in prayer? Yes: For with thee the fatherless find mercy, Hos. 14:3.

4. Is God our Father in heaven? Yes: For the Lord's throne is in heaven, Ps. 11:4. Is heaven a high place? Yes: and we must lift up our hearts with our hands to God in the heavens, Lam. 3:41. Is it a holy place? Yes: and we must lift up holy hands, 1 Tim. 2:8. Is it a place of prospect? Yes: and therefore our Father sees in secret, Matt. 6:6. Is it a place of power? Yes: and therefore he is able to do above all that we ask or think, Eph. 3:20.

5. Ought we therefore to pray with reverence? Yes: for God is in heaven, and we upon earth, Eccl. 5:2. And with holy confidence? Yes: for we have boldness and access with confidence, Eph. 3:12. For is God a Father who is able to help us? Yes: My Father is greater than all, John 10:29. Does he know our wants? Yes: Your heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things, Matt. 6:32. Is he willing to help? Yes: For the Father himself loveth you, John 16:27.

6. Must we pray with others? Yes: There were many gathered together praying, Acts 12:12. Must we pray for others? Yes: we must make supplication for all saints, Eph. 6:18.