Hallowed Be Thy Name
Q. 189. What doth the preface of the Lord’s prayer teach us?
A. The preface of the Lord’s prayer (contained in these words, Our Father which art in heaven) teacheth us, when we pray, to draw near to God with confidence of his fatherly goodness, and our interest therein; with reverence, and all other childlike dispositions, heavenly affections, and due apprehensions of his sovereign power, majesty, and gracious condescension: as also, to pray with and for others.
The Larger Catechism contains a wealth of things to think about in terms of world missions, in addition to good theology. Several of the questions ask about prayer—and specifically about the Lord’s prayer. The answer to Question 189 teaches us to draw near to God in prayer “with confidence in his fatherly goodness, with reverence and understanding of his sovereign power, majesty and gracious condescension.” That’s great theology! However, it raises the question: how are unbelieving people of the world to have any confidence in him or know anything about God’s character if they have never heard of him? Plenty of people in the world pray, but all of their prayers are in vain if they aren’t praying to God our Father through the mediation of Jesus Christ. They are marching to destruction without a redeemer as they pray these vain prayers. How can we consider that march without compassion and a renewal of conviction that we must pray? We must pray both for them and for laborers to enter God’s harvest, as Jesus admonished his disciples in Matthew 9:38.
Following Matthew Henry’s pattern of prayer*, here is a prayer for missionaries to enter into God’s harvest and for those who have not yet heard of Jesus.
Heavenly Father, please hear our prayer as we consider the way people of the nations are marching to destruction without any mediation from the Lord Jesus Christ. So many millions are this very day praying to idols without any knowledge of who you are or what you are really like. We desire that you should be sanctified on the earth by all peoples both in North America and beyond, that you should be glorified as the holy God. Let the nations whom you have made come and worship before you and glorify your name, because you are great and your works are wonderful. Lord, let all the unreached people groups on earth glorify your name because of your mercy. Let them rejoice with your people. Let all the ends of the earth remember and turn to you, Lord. Let the kindreds of the earth declare your righteousness to a people that shall be born. Lord, we know that your sovereign power is great and nothing is too hard for you. We know you to be good and merciful, and that you stoop low to hear the prayers of your saints. Would you please, Lord, send forth laborers into your harvest so that the nations may hear of your power, your grace and mercy. Would you call men to the ministry? Would you establish churches where there are none? Would you raise up missionaries, pastors, ruling elders, and deacons to serve you with integrity and compassion? Would you exalt your name above all names on this earth?
We give thanks to you for your promises, especially for sending the Lord Jesus Christ into the world to save sinners. It is through his name that we pray. Amen.
*A Method for Prayer, Matthew Henry (Christian Heritage, 2001) pp 154-155.