These affirmations of faith were selected to accompany the Lenten sermon series “The Lord’s Prayer.” They are from The Heidelberg Catechism, 400th Anniversary Edition, 1563–1963, Copyright © 1962 United Church Press, reprinted in the PC(USA) Book of Confessions.
The Heidelberg Catechism was written in 1562 to reconcile different theological perspectives within various groups of the Reformation. It is written in question and answer form so that it can be memorized. The Heidelberg Catechism was brought to America by the pilgrims and remains influential for American faith.
Week 1 | The Heidelberg Confession, Question 122
What does the first petition mean?
“Hallowed be your name” means:
Help us to truly know you,
to honor, glorify, and praise you
for all your works
and for all that shines forth from them:
your almighty power, wisdom, kindness,
justice, mercy, and truth.
And it means,
Help us to direct all our living—
what we think, say, and do—
so that your name will never be blasphemed because of us
but always honored and praised.
Week 2 | The Heidelberg Confession, Question 123
What does the second petition mean?
“Your kingdom come” means:
Rule us by your Word and Spirit in such a way
that more and more we submit to you.
Preserve your church and make it grow.
Destroy the adversary’s work;
destroy every force which revolts against you
and every conspiracy against your holy Word.
Do this until your kingdom fully comes,
when you will be
all in all.
Week 3 | The Heidelberg Confession, Question 124
What does the third petition mean?
“Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” means:
Help us and all people
to reject our own wills
and to obey your will without any back talk.
Your will alone is good.
Help us one and all to carry out the work we are called to,
as willingly and faithfully as the angels in heaven.
Week 4 | The Heidelberg Confession, Question 124
What does the fourth petition mean?
“Give us this day our daily bread” means:
Do take care of all our physical needs
so that we come to know
that you are the only source of everything good,
and that neither our work and worry
nor your gifts
can do us any good without your blessing.
And so help us to give up our trust in creatures
and trust in you alone.
Week 5 | The Heidelberg Confession, Question 126
What does the fifth petition mean?
“Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors” means:
Because of Christ’s blood,
do not hold against us, poor sinners that we are,
any of the sins we do
or the evil that constantly clings to us.
Forgive us just as we are fully determined,
as evidence of your grace in us,
to forgive our neighbors.
Week 6 (Palm Sunday) | The Heidelberg Confession, Question 126
What does the sixth petition mean?
“And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one” means:
By ourselves we are too weak to hold our own even for a moment.
And our sworn enemies—the devil, the world,
and our own flesh— never stop attacking us.
And so, Lord, uphold us and make us strong with the strength of your Holy Spirit,
so that we may not go down to defeat in this spiritual struggle,
but may firmly resist our enemies until we finally win the complete victory.
Week 7 (Easter) | The Heidelberg Confession, Question 128
What does your conclusion to this prayer mean?
“For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours forever” means:
We have made all these petitions of you because, as our all-powerful king,
you are both willing and able to give us all that is good;
and because your holy name, and not we ourselves
should receive all the praise, forever.
Deep Well Worship 