To Be a Christian: The Anglican Catechism in a Year

Today is day 216 and we are on the section The Seventh Petition: "But deliver us from evil". 216. What are angels? Angels are rational, spiritual beings created by God. God’s holy angels joyfully serve him in heavenly worship, and God appoints them to act as messengers, bringing words of guidance and assurance to the faithful, and assisting and protecting them. (Numbers 22:21–31; Psalm 148:1–6; Is...

Today is day 215 and we are on the section on The Seventh Petition: "But deliver us from evil". 215. How did Satan and his angels turn to evil? Satan and his angels were overcome by envy and pride and rebelled against God. (Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:12–19; 1 Timothy 3:6; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7–12) We will conclude today with The Collect for Thursday in Easter Week found on page 611 in the Book...

Today is day 214 and we are on the section The Seventh Petition: "But deliver us from evil". 214. What are Satan and his demons? Demons, of whom Satan is chief, are fallen angels. Satan rebelled against God and led other angels to follow him. They now cause spiritual and sometimes physical harm to mortals, and they sow lies that lead to confusion, despair, sin, and death. (Job 1–2; Daniel 10:20–21...

Today is day 213 and we are on the section on The Seventh Petition: "But deliver us from evil". 213. Did evil exist before the human race embraced it? Yes. Satan had already opposed God and chosen evil when he tempted Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3: 1–5; John 8:44) We will conclude today with The First Collect of Compline found on page 63 in the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or...

Today is day 212 and we are on the section on The Seventh Petition: "But deliver us from evil". 212. Is God responsible for evil? No. The sinful choices of his creatures do not implicate God in evil in any way. (Deuteronomy 30:15–19; Romans 7:7–25; James 1:13–15) We will conclude today with Proper 6 found on page 616 in the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a...

Today is day 211 and we are on the section on The Seventh Petition: "But deliver us from evil". 211. If God is good, why does he permit evil? God created rational creatures free to love, obey, and worship him, but we have used our freedom to reject his love, rebel against him, and choose evil. Yet no evil can thwart God’s purposes, and he is able to use evil to bring about even greater good. (Gene...

Today is day 210 and we are on the section on The Seventh Petition: "But deliver us from evil". 210. What is evil? Evil is the willful perversion of God’s will. Evil defies God’s holiness, violates his Law, enslaves us to sin, and mars his good creation. (Genesis 3:1–19; 4:1–8; 6:5; Proverbs 1:10–19; Isaiah 59:4–13; Mark 7:20–23; 1 John 3:4) We will conclude today with The Collect for the Second S...

Today is day 209 and we are on the section on The Seventh Petition: "But deliver us from evil". 209. What is the seventh petition? The seventh petition is “But deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:13) We will conclude today with The Lord's Prayer. If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism . Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Ori...

Today is day 208 and we are on the section The Sixth Petition: "And lead us not into temptation". 208. How can the Church help you to resist temptation? In the fellowship of Christ’s Body, I can find companionship when I am lonely or vulnerable, support to resist ungodly influence, wisdom to guard me from folly, exhortation to grow in holiness, and discipline to correct me when I fall into error....

Today is day 207 and we are on the section The Sixth Petition: "And lead us not into temptation". 207. What are ways to guard against temptation? As I abide in Christ, I can guard against temptation by praying for protection and strength, confessing my sins, recalling God’s Word, avoiding tempting situations, and seeking the support of fellow Christians. (Genesis 39:7–12; Psalm 119:9–11; Matthew 4...

Today is day 206 and we are on the section The Sixth Petition: "And lead us not into temptation". 206. Does God lead you into temptation? No. God never tempts anyone, nor is he the cause of any sin; but he does allow me to be tested so that I may grow in faith and obedience. (Genesis 22:1–18; Job 1:6–12; Psalm 11:4–5; Proverbs 17:3; Matthew 4:1; James 1:12–15) We will conclude today with Prayer 58...

Today is day 205 and we are on the section The Sixth Petition: "And lead us not into temptation". 205. What help do you seek from God in the face of temptation? I ask God to increase my faith to trust him, enliven my conscience to fear him, soften my heart to love him, and strengthen my will to obey him, that I may resist evil and stand in the face of temptation. (Proverbs 2; Matthew 4:11; Luke 22...

Today is day 204 and we are on the section The Sixth Petition: "And lead us not into temptation". 204. What are the sources of temptation? I am tempted by the false promises of the world, the selfish desires of my flesh, and the lies of the devil, all of which war against God and my spiritual well-being. (Genesis 3:1–8; Proverbs 30:7–9; Mark 7:15; James 1:13; 1 John 2:15–17) We will conclude today...

Today is day 203 and we are on the section The Sixth Petition: "And lead us not into temptation". 203. What is temptation? Temptation is any enticement to turn from faith in God and to violate his commandments. (Proverbs 1:8–19; James 1:14–15) We will conclude today with The Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany found on page 602 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or...

Today is day 202 and we are on the section The Sixth Petition: "And lead us not into temptation". 202. What is the sixth petition? The sixth petition is “And lead us not into temptation.” (Matthew 6:13; Luke 11:4) We will conclude today with The Lord's Prayer. If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism . Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in...

Today is day 201 and we are on the section on second part of the Fifth Petition: "As we forgive those who trespass against us". 201. Will your forgiveness of others always result in reconciliation? No. Though my decision and desire to forgive may not result in my neighbor’s repentance or our reconciliation, I am still called to forgive. (Matthew 18:15–35; Romans 12:17–21) We will conclude today wi...

Today is day 200 and we are on the section on second part of the Fifth Petition: "As we forgive those who trespass against us". 200. How do you forgive others? Forgiveness is a decision of my will and an attitude of my heart that seeks the good of my neighbor, and chooses not to hold against them the damage they have inflicted. I forgive whether they have asked for forgiveness or not. (Exodus 23:4...

Today is day 199 and we are on the section on second part of the Fifth Petition: "As we forgive those who trespass against us". 199. Why should you forgive others? I should forgive others because, while I was still a sinner, God forgave me through Jesus Christ. Failing to forgive impedes God’s work in my life and gives opportunity to the evil one. (Genesis 50:15–21; Psalm 133; Matthew 18:21–35; Lu...

Today is day 198 and we are on the section on The Fifth Petition: "And forgive us our trespasses". 198. Does God forgive your sins? Yes. In Christ, God freely forgives the sins of all, including me, who sincerely repent and in true faith turn to him. (Leviticus 16:29–34; Psalm 103:8–14; Isaiah 55:6–9; Jeremiah 31:31–34; Matthew 6:14–15; Hebrews 10:11–18; 1 John 1:9–10) We will conclude today with...

Today is day 197 and we are on the section on The Fifth Petition: "And forgive us our trespasses". 197. On what basis do you ask forgiveness? I ask God our loving Father to forgive me through his Son, Jesus Christ, who bore my sins upon the Cross, so that through faith and Baptism I can receive his righteousness. (Isaiah 53:4–12; Daniel 9:16–19; Luke 18:9–14; Acts 2:38; 13:38–39; Romans 5:17; Hebr...

Today is day 196 and we are on the section on The Fifth Petition: "And forgive us our trespasses". 196. What is God’s forgiveness? God’s forgiveness is his merciful pardon of sin and removal of the guilt that results from our disobedience. (Psalms 32:1–2; 51:1–17; Isaiah 1:18; 55:6–9; Jeremiah 33:7–9; Matthew 18:23–27; Colossians 2:13–14) We will conclude today with Proper 21 found on page 620 of...

Today is day 195 and we are on the section on The Fifth Petition: "And forgive us our trespasses". 195. Do you sin against God’s Law? Yes. I, together with all humankind, sin daily against God’s Law, in thought, word, and deed, both by what I do and by what I fail to do. (Psalm 14:2–3; Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:9–18,23; 1 John 1:8–10) We will conclude today with The Confession of...

Today is day 194 and we are on the section on The Fifth Petition: "And forgive us our trespasses". 194. What are trespasses? A “trespass” is a sin—a thought, word, or deed which offends God’s holy character and violates his Law, missing the mark of his will and expectations. (Isaiah 53:6; 1 John 3:4) We will conclude today with The Confession of Sin in Morning Prayer found on page 12 of the Book o...

Today is day 193 and we are on the section on The Fifth Petition: "And forgive us our trespasses". 193. What is the fifth petition? The fifth petition is “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” (Matthew 6:12; see also Luke 11:4) We will conclude today with the Lord's Prayer. If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechi...

Today is day 192 and we are on the section on The Fourth Petition: "Give us this day our daily bread". 192. Why does God give you daily bread? God gives me daily bread because he is a good and loving Father, who gives good things to all his children, sustains us in life, and desires that we grow daily in his grace. (Psalms 103:13–14; 104:27–30; Isaiah 40:11, 29–31; Matthew 7:9–11) We will conclude...