Matthew 6:9

III. TEACHING THE DISCIPLES TO PRAY.

9. After this manner pray ye.

The Savior does not bid us use these words, nor command any set form, but gives this as. proper example of prayer, simple, brief, condensed, yet all-embracing. That the Lord did not design it for liturgical use, as is supposed by those churches which have liturgies, is evident from the fact that, although we have various prayers reported in the New Testament used by the apostles, this never occurs.

Our Father which art in heaven.

These words reveal. very tender relationship between God and the true worshiper, and base the petition on the fact that the child speaks to the Father. Nor are we to say my, but our Father. He is the Father, not of the "children of the devil," but of every soul who can say, "Hallowed by thy name. Thy will be done." It should be noted that the appeal made is to. personal Presence,. Father, but. Father exalted far above us, our Father in heaven. As the Father is above the mind and heart must be lifted up in order to enter into communion with him.

Hallowed be thy name.

Of the seven petitions of the Lord's prayer the first three are in behalf of the cause of God, the glory of his name, the extension of his kingdom and the prevalence of his will. The other four, which are properly placed last as least important, pertain to our individual needs, our daily bread, forgiveness of sins, deliverance from temptation, and from all evil. "Hallowed be thy name," the first petition, means to be made holy, regarded and treated as sacred, respected, feared and reverenced by all the earth. No man can pray this prayer who swears, or uses the name of God lightly, or in vain, or who does not seek the glory of the divine name.