A Scripture Catechism
in the
Method of the Assembly's

by Matthew Henry

Q. 107. What does the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer teach us?
A. The conclusion of the Lord's Prayer, which is, For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever, Amen, teaches us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him; and in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.

1. Are we in prayer to plead with God? Yes: I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments, Job 23:4. Are our pleadings to move God? No: For he is in one mind, and who can turn him, Job 23:13. Are they to move ourselves? Yes: that we may stir up ourselves to take hold on God, Isa. 64:7.

2. Can we in prayer plead any merit of our own? No: We do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness, Dan. 9:18. Must we therefore take our encouragement from God only? Yes: Defer not for thine own sake, O my God, ver. 19. And must we depend on that encouragement? Yes: Now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee, Ps. 39:7.

3. May we plead that his is the kingdom? Yes: Art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? 2 Chron. 20:6. And that his is the power? Yes: There is nothing too hard for thee, Jer. 32:17. And that his is the glory? Yes: Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name, Ps. 79:9.

4. May we also plead his mercy? Yes: Save me for thy mercy's sake, Ps. 6:4. And his promise? Yes: Remember thy word unto thy servant, Ps. 119:49. And our own experience of his goodness? Yes: Thou hast delivered my soul from death, wilt thou not deliver my feet from falling? Ps. 56:18. But must we especially plead the mediation of his Son? Yes: Look upon the face of thine Anointed, Ps. 84:9. And may we hope to prevail in these pleadings? Yes: for the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, Jam. 5:16. Is it God's grace in us which alone qualifies us for his favour? Yes: Thou wilt prepare their heart, and then thou wilt cause thine ear to hear, Ps.10:17.

5. Are we in prayer to praise God? Yes: Every day will I bless thee, Ps. 145. Are we to ascribe kingdom, power, and glory to him? Yes: Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sits upon the throne, Rev.5:13. Must we acknowledge them to be his? Yes: Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty, 1 Chron. 29:11. Must we acknowledge them to be his for ever? Yes: Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, Ps. 145:13. And must we desire to be for ever praising him? Yes: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being, Ps. 104:33. Is the work of praise good work? Yes: it is pleasant, and praise is comely, Ps. 147: 1.

6. Does Amen signify our desire to be heard? Yes: So be it, O Lord, Jer. 11:5. And our hope that we shall be heard? Yes: we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him, 1 John 5:15. Is it therefore proper to conclude our prayers and praises with Amen? Yes: Let all the people say, Amen. Hallelujah, Ps. 106:48.