The Book of Confessions - The Presbyterian Leader

Q. 195. What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
A. In the sixth petition (which is, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil"), (2029) acknowledging that the most wise, righteous, and gracious God, for divers
holy and just ends, may so order things that we may be assaulted, foiled, and for a time led captive
by temptations; (2030) that Satan, (2031) the world, (2032) and the flesh, are ready powerfully
to draw us aside and ensnare us; (2033) and that we, even after the pardon of our sins, by reason
of our corruption, (2034) weakness, and want of watchfulness, (2035) are not only subject to be
tempted, and forward to expose ourselves unto temptations, (2036) but also of ourselves unable
and unwilling to resist them, to recover out of them, and to improve them; (2037) and worthy to
be left under the power of them; (2038) we pray: that God would so overrule the world and all
in it, (2039) subdue the flesh, (2040) and restrain Satan, (2041) order all things, (2042)
bestow and bless all means of grace, (2043) and quicken us to watchfulness in the use of them,
that we and all his people may by his providence be kept from being tempted to sin; (2044) or, if
tempted, that by his Spirit we may be powerfully supported and enabled to stand in the hour of
temptation; (2045) or, when fallen, raised again and recovered out of it, (2046) and have a
sanctified use and improvement thereof; (2047) that our sanctification and salvation may be
perfected, (2048) Satan trodden under our feet, (2049) and we fully freed from sin,
temptation, and all evil forever. (2050)
Q. 196. What doth the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer teach us?
A. The conclusion of the Lord's Prayer (which is, "For thine is the Kingdom, and the
power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."), (2051) teacheth us to enforce our petitions with
arguments, (2052) which are to be taken, not from any worthiness in ourselves, or in any other
creature, but from God; (2053) and with our prayers to join praises, (2054) ascribing to God
alone eternal sovereignty, omnipotency, and glorious excellency; (2055) in regard whereof, as he
is able and willing to help us, (2056) so we by faith are emboldened to plead with him that he
would, (2057) and quietly to rely upon him that he will, fulfill our requests. (2058) And to testify
our desires and assurance, we say, "Amen." (2059)
THE THEOLOGICAL DECLARATION OF BARMEN
I. An Appeal to the Evangelical Congregations and Christians in Germany
The Confessional Synod of the German Evangelical Church met in Barmen, May 29-31,
1934. Here representatives from all the German Confessional Churches met with one accord in a
confession of the one Lord of the one, holy, apostolic Church. In fidelity to their Confession of
Faith, members of Lutheran, Reformed, and United Churches sought a common message for the
need and temptation of the Church in our day. With gratitude to God they are convinced that
they have been given a common word to utter. It was not their intention to found a new Church
or to form a union. For nothing was farther from their minds than the abolition of the
confessional status of our Churches. Their intention was, rather, to withstand in faith and
Copyright © 1996 by the Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA)