What doth the conclusion of the Lord’s prayer teach us?
The conclusion of the Lord’s prayer, which is, For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen, teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only, and in our prayers to praise Him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory, to Him. And in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.
Proofs
- The conclusion of the Lord’s prayer, which is, For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen, (Matthew 6:13)
- teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only, (Daniel 9:4,7–9,16–19)
- and in our prayers to praise Him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory, to Him. (1 Chronicles 29:10–13)
- And in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen. (1 Corinthians 4:16; Revelation 22:20–21)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Must all our encouragement in prayer be taken from God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, (Jeremiah 14:21)
And not from ourselves?
Answer: No.
Proof: We do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, (Daniel 9:18)
Must we in prayer bless God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thy saints shall bless thee, (Psalm 145:10)
And will this be an acceptable service to him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me, (Psalm 50:23)
Section 2
Is the kingdom the Lord’s?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty, (Psalm 93:1)
Is His kingdom an ancient one?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thy throne is established of old, (Psalm 93:2)
And an enduring one?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, (Daniel 7:27)
Does this afford matter for praise?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I will extol thee, my God, O King, (Psalm 145:1)
And matter for trust?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Say among the heathen, that the Lord reigneth; the world also shall be established, that it shall not be moved, (Psalm 96:10)
And may we make use of it as a plea in prayer?
Answer: Yea.
Proof: Art not thou God in heaven, and rulest not them over all the kingdoms of the heathen? (2 Chronicles 20:6)
Section 3
Does power belong unto God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: If we speak of strength, lo, he is strong, (Job 9:19)
And is all power from him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people, (Psalm 68:35)
Should we therefore take to ourselves the comfort of this attribute?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: If it be so, our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, (Daniel 3:17)
And give him the glory of it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Give unto the Lord glory and strength, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength, (Psalm 29:1)
And plead it in prayer?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Now let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, (Numbers 14:17)
Section 4
Is God’s glory manifested in all his works?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The whole earth is full of his glory, (Isaiah 6:3)
Should he then be glorified by all his works?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: All nations shall glorify thy name, (Psalm 86:9)
Is his glory particularly displayed in the church?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee, (Isaiah 60:2)
Should it therefore be particularly displayed by the church?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: To him be glory in the church throughout all ages, (Ephesians 3:21)
May we not then glory in ourselves?
Answer: No.
Proof: He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord, (2 Corinthians 10:17)
Section 5
Doth Amen signify our desire to be heard?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: So be it, O Lord, (Jeremiah 11:5)
And our assurance that we shall be heard?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: And the four beasts said, Amen: and the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever, (Revelation 5:14)
When used in public prayer by the people, does it express their approbation?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord, (1 Chronicles 16:36)
Should such prayers then be made in a known tongue?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Else how shall he who occupieth the place of the unlearned, say Amen? (1 Corinthians 14:16)