Th e Heidelberg Catechism (1563) on the Lord’s Prayer petitions ... 120. Why did Christ command us to address God thus: “Our Father?” To awaken in us at the very beginning of our prayer that childlike reverence for and trust in God, which are to be the ground of our prayer, namely, that God has become our Father through Christ, and will much less deny us what we ask of Him in faith than our parents refuse us earthly things.[1] [1]Mt. 7:9-11; Lk. 11:11-13; *I Pet. 1:17; *Isa. 63:16. 121. Why is it added: “Who art in heaven?” That we might have no earthly thought of the heavenly majesty of God,[1] and from His almighty power expect all things necessary for body and soul.[2] [1]Jer. 23:23-24; Acts 17:24-25, 27. [2]Rom. 10:12; *I Kgs. 8:28; *Ps. 115:3. 122. What is the first petition? “Hallowed be Thy name;” that is, grant us, first, rightly to know Thee, [1] and to hallow, magnify, and praise Thee in all Thy works, in which Thy power, goodness, justice, mercy, and tr...