This prayer begins where all true prayer must
commence, with the spirit of adoption, "Our Father."
There is no acceptable prayer until we can say, "I will
arise, and go unto my Father." This child-like spirit
soon perceives the grandeur of the Father ";in
heaven," and ascends to devout adoration, ";Hallowed
be Thy name." The child lisping, "Abba, Father,"
grows into the cherub crying, "Holy, Holy, Holy." There
is but a step from rapturous worship to the glowing
missionary spirit, which is a sure outgrowth of filial
love and reverent adoration—"Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Next
follows the heartfelt expression of dependence upon
God—";Give us this day our daily bread." Being further
illuminated by the Spirit, he discovers that he is not
only dependent, but sinful, hence he entreats for
mercy, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our
debtors:" and being pardoned, having the
righteousness of Christ imputed, and knowing his
acceptance with God, he humbly supplicates for holy
perseverance, "Lead us not into temptation. "The man
who is really forgiven, is anxious not to offend again;
the possession of justification leads to an anxious
desire for sanctification. "Forgive us our debts," ; that
is justification; "Lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil," that is sanctification in its
negative and positive forms. As the result of all this,
there follows a triumphant ascription of praise, "Thine
is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and
ever, Amen."; We rejoice that our King reigns in
providence and shall reign in grace, from the river
even to the ends of the earth, and of His dominion
there shall be no end. Thus from a sense of adoption,
up to fellowship with our reigning Lord, this short
model of prayer conducts the soul. Lord, teach us
thus to pray.
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