Here you will find the questions, answers and Scripture proofs for the Shorter Catechism, together with a brief explanation.

    • Q.101

      Psalm 67:1-3, 2 Thessalonians 3:1, Isaiah 64:1 & Romans 11:36

      The Westminster Shorter Catechism

      Q.101. What do we pray for in the first petition?

      A. In the first petition, which is, “Hallowed be Thy name,” we pray, that God would enable us, and others, to glorify Him in all that whereby He maketh Himself known, and that He would dispose all things to His own glory.

      Scripture References:

      Psalm 67:1-3
      2 Thessalonians 3:1
      Isaiah 64:1,2
      Romans 11:36
      Isaiah 11:9

      The Westminster Shorter Catechism in Modern English:

      Q.101. What do we pray for in the first request?

      A. In the first request (hallowed be your name) we pray that God will enable us and others to glorify Him in everything He uses to make Himself known and that He will work out everything to His own glory.

      Questions

      1. What is meant by the word “petition” and how many are there in the Lord’s Prayer?

      The word “petition” simply means the desiring or asking of anything. There are six in the Lord’s Prayer and we are considering the first.

      2. How do we hallow the name of God?

      Simply stated, it would mean to glorify His name. For example, Isaiah 8:13 states, “The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.” We should glorify (sanctify, hallow) Him in all ways as we walk in this world so that the world will see Him in us as much as possible.

      3. How can we be certain that we shall do this?

      We can be as certain as possible by endeavouring to be diligent about the attributes, ordinances, word and the works of God. It would be good for us to look back in our studies once again to our duties concerning these ways God makes Himself known to us and examine ourselves regarding them.

      4. When we pray in this petition, “Hallowed be Thy name,” what is the meaning of our prayer?

      We are really praying for two things: 1. That God will hallow (glorify) Himself in this world; 2. That God, working through us, will enable us to glory His name in this world. The first part of this petition is accomplished as God magnifies Himself as he works out all things after His will, even those things which seem to us the opposite. The second part of this petition has been discussed in question 3.

      5. What are the things He works out after His will that are opposite from what we would expect?

      A few we could mention would be the persecutions, the trials He takes us through and the times we sin and He overrules.