An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism


CHAPTER XXXII.

THE CONCLUSION.

For Thine Is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

What is meant by the word "Amen"?

That I should be assured that such petitions are acceptable to our heavenly Father, and are heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us to pray in this manner, and has promised that He will hear us. Amen, amen, that is, yea, yea, it shall be so.


In this Conclusion we give the reason why we address our prayer to our heavenly Father, and why we expect to be heard. It contains a Doxology, and an Amen.

THE DOXOLOGY.

FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM: Thou art King and Lord of all; [I Tim. 1:17] from Thee ail gifts must come. [Jas. 1:17]

AND THE POWER: with Thee nothing is impossible; [Luke 1:37] Thou art able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think. [Eph. 3:20]

AND THE GLORY: Thou art God alone, [Isa. 46:4] infinite in holiness, power, and love; to Thy name alone be all praise. [Ps. 115:1]

FOR EVER AND EVER. The kingdoms of earth and their glory pass away; but Thy kingdom and power and glory endure for evermore. [Dan. 4:3, Ps. 145:11-13+]

THE AMEN.

AMEN means Verily. By adding it to our prayer we express our assurance,

THAT SUCH PETITIONS ARE ACCEPTABLE TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND ARE HEARD

FOR HE HIMSELF HAS TAUGHT US TO PRAY IN THIS MANNER, and to ask for these things,

AND HAS PROMISED THAT HE WILL HEAR US. [II Cor. 1:20] The promise is, that whatsoever we ask in Christ's name shall be given to us. [John 16:23] Hence we add at the end of our prayer: Amen, that is, it shall be so; God will answer our prayer. [Matt. 7:9-11]

QUESTIONS.—1. Why do we add the conclusion to the Lord's Prayer? 2. What two parts does the conclusion contain? 3. What do we mean by saying, "Thine is the kingdom"? the power? the glory? forever? 4. What does Amen mean? 5. Why do we add it to our prayer? 6. Why are we sure that these petitions are acceptable to our heavenly Father? 7. What promise have we with respect to our prayers?

SCRIPTURE VERSE.—Ps. 145:13. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

READING.—Asking and Receiving, Luke 11:5-13.

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