The Shorter Catechism
of the Westminster Assembly
Explained and Proved
from Scripture

by Thomas Vincent

CVII. Ques. What doth the conclusion of the Lord's prayer teach us?
Ans. The conclusion of the Lord's prayer, (which is, "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen,") teacheth 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 A men.

Q. 1. What is the conclusion of the Lord's prayer itself?
A. The conclusion of the Lord'a prayer itself is in these words, "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen."

Q. 2. What is the first thing which this conclusion of the Lord's prayer doth teach us?
A. The first thing which this conclusion of the Lord's prayer doth teach us, is, to take our encouragement in prayer, not from ourselves', or any worthiness of our own, but from God only, who having the kingdom and eternal sovereignty, the power and eternal all-sufficiency, the glory for ever, and therefore incomparably glorious in his faith, fulness, goodness, and most tender mercy, we may persuade ourselves that he is both able to give what we ask, and that he is willing, and will give what he hath promised unto us. "We do not present our supplications for our righteousness, but for thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken, and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God."— Dan. 9:18, 19. "Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God; for unto thee will I pray."— Ps. 5:2. "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, unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end, Amen."— Eph. 3:20, 21.

Q. 3. What is the second thing which this conclusion of the Lord's prayer doth teach us?
A. The second thing which this conclusion of the Lord's prayer doth teach us is, in our prayers to God to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory unto him. "Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, and thou art exalted as head above all, Now, therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name."— 1 Chron. 29:10, 11, 13. "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen."— 1 Tim. 1:18.

Q. 4. Why are we to say, "Amen?"
A. We are to say, "Amen," which signifieth so be it, or, so shall it be, in testimony of our desires and assurances to be heard. "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus," — Rev. 22:20.

THE END.