Spurgeon: October AM
* 10/29/AM
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in
heaven, etc."
--Matthew 6:9
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.