THE SCHOOL & FAMILY CATECHIST
by Rev. William Smith (1834)

The Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 101. What do we pray for in the first petition?

A. In the first petition, which is, “Hallowed be thy name,” we pray that God would enable us and others to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself known, and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.

EXPLICATION.

Petition. –Humble request, the asking of a favor from a superior, by an inferior.

Hallowed. –Sanctified or honored, reverenced or adored, as the name of God ought always to be.

To glorify him. –See Explic. Q. 1.

All that whereby he maketh himself known. –God’s works of creation, providence, and grace, his Word and Gospel, &c.

Dispose all things. –To regulate, manage, or direct all things.

ANALYSIS.

We are here taught, that when we use the words of the first petition, we pray for two things :

1. That God would enable us and others, to glorify him, in all that, whereby he maketh himself known. –Psal. lxvii. 1, 2, 3. God be merciful unto us, and bless us, and cause his face to shine upon us; that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God, let all the people praise thee. 2. That he would dispose, or manage, all things to his own glory. –John xii. 28. Fathor [sic. Ed.; Father]  glorify thy name.