Heidelbergian Children's Catechism (age 8- 10 years)
Lord's Day 45
We have spent a lot of time on the Ten Commandments. From now on we will deal with praying, for the next Lord’s Days discuss the prayer. Christians should often pray to God and thank Him. God requires us to pray. He wants us to knock on his door time and again. When you pray you can tell Him that you are a happy and grateful child of God. He also wants to hear you ask for forgiveness, strength, and support. Children should not ask their parents for special treats every day, because special treats are not given daily. But you can ask God daily for strength and forgiveness; He will give it to you every day. How do we pray in the right way? What makes the Lord listen to us gladly? First of all, we should pray to Him and to Him alone. The Bible has taught us this very dearly. Further, we should realize that we are only small and sinful people. We should show humility in our prayers. We must also believe that God really listens to us. A good prayer also means that we dare to ask for all the things we need, just as you would ask your mother or father for the things you really need. The Lord Jesus has taught us such a prayer.1 am sure you already know it.lt goes this way: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever. Amen. Isn’t it great that we can speak directly with our Father in heaven? You can even sing about it: I love the Lord, the fount of Iife and grace; He heard my voice, my cry and supplication.