Course: Solid Ground - Faith & Family
August 18, 2022 | Dave Rueter
Doxology
What does this mean?
This means that I should be certain that these petitions are pleasing to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to hear us. Amen, amen means “yes, yes, it shall be so.
Here at the end of the Lord’s Prayer, we might be tempted to think that these final words merely wrap up all that was said before. While this is true, this is not merely all that is taking place. We have asked a lot of God in this prayer and He invites us to do so.
Paul notes that “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Even as we recognize how much we are asking of God in this prayer, the Lord stands ready to do so much more than we ever dare ask or might even contemplate. God stands ready to do “far more abundantly” to do far more “than all we ask or think.” This should amaze and astound us. Here we are, fallen and sinful creatures praying to Almighty God asking for undeserved blessings and God is very much ready to shower them upon us.
While this doxology is not original to the text of the Lord’s Prayer, it nonetheless reminds us that we can have total and complete confidence that the Lord will do all that we ask in His name and so much more. Like a father who knows just the right gift to give, our Heavenly Father stands ready to bless us now and into eternity.
Thoughts for Reflection
Based on all that you have learned from the Lord’s Prayer, what can you boldly ask God today?
Course Information
The catechism has been a foundational tool in teaching the Christian faith across generations. Yet, too often the catechism is treated as a tool to be used during confirmation class and then placed on the shelf thereafter. This series explores three of the six chief parts from Luther's Small Catechism, focusing on the 10 Commandments, Apostles' Creed, and Lord's Prayer. Each part is an essential foundation for our faith and something that Luther emphasized ought to be revisited in the Christian home with regularity.
