Catechism Question 96
What is the conclusion to the Lord’s Prayer and what does it teach us regarding prayer?
The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer is “For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” In it we learn to acknowledge all authority, power, and glory belong to God, and He is able to do all we ask and more; so we pray for these things that we might live for Him and His glory now and forever.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
This is the ninth in a series of questions on the Lord’s Prayer. In this question, we ask what is the conclusion to the Lord’s Prayer and what it teaches us. This question follows the same format as the previous questions, asking the words of the prayer, and what the words teach us regarding prayer. Additionally, as we saw in the previous questions, when we pray this specific thing, we are also committing ourselves to work for it. It would not be possible to pray with the attitudes we saw in question 86 and then not labor to see these things done in our own life.
The answer to this question tells us three key things. First, we are acknowledging that all authority, power, and glory belong to God. As the prayer began with a focus on God and His Kingdom and glory, so it now comes to a close with the same focus. Second, we recognize that if God has all power and authority He is able to answer all we have prayed for, and even more. This is a fitting way to close the prayer. We cry out to God in prayer because He is mighty and well able to answer. Third, we ask God to help us so that we might live for Him and His glory, now and forever. Once again, we want our lives to line up with our prayers.
Finally, it should be noted that these words are not contained in the body of the NIV text, but rather in the margin. This is because they are not in the oldest New Testament manuscripts. However, the words are found in many very old manuscripts, and were used from the earliest days in the church, and are also very familiar to many people. For these reasons we have kept them in the version of the Lord’s Prayer we are discussing. [For more information about this translation choice, see the teaching “Praying for Our Deliverance” (February 2, 2014).]
Additional Questions:
What is the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer, and what does it teach us?
What is the doxology (concluding praise) of the Lord’s Prayer?
Scripture References:
Matthew 6:9–13
“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Luke 11:1–4
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
1 Chronicles 29:10–13
David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, O Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”
1 Timothy 1:17
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 4:11
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.
Revelation 5:11–13
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
Revelation 7:9–12
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”
Ephesians 3:20–21
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Jude 1:24–25
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Questions for Further Discussion:
Why should we acknowledge that all power, authority, and glory belong to God?
Since this prayer begins and ends with a focus on God, what does that tell us about the central facet of biblical prayer? Do my prayers follow this practice?
Why is it comforting to know that God has all authority and power?
How might I live in recognition of God’s authority, power, and glory?
How is this doxology related to question 1 in this catechism?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 128 of the Heidelberg Catechism and question 107 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg or Westminster Shorter Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teaching “Praying For Our Deliverance” (February 2, 2014), “Praying For God To Be Glorified and Known” (June 16, 2013), and “The Absolute Supremacy of God” (February 25, 2007).
Suggested Worship Song:
How Great Is Our God (Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves)
(This song is a simple reflection on the greatness and majesty of our God.)
The splendor of a king
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps Himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God – sing with me
How great is our God – and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father, Spirit and Son
Lion and the Lamb
Lion and the Lamb
How great is our God – sing with me
How great is our God – and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
Name above all names
You’re worthy of all praise
And my heart will sing
How great is our God
[3x]
How great is our God – sing with me
How great is our God – and all will see
How great, how great is our God