"After this manner therfore pray ye: Our Father, which art in heaven" (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 to my Father." This childlike spirit soon perceives the grandeur of the Father in heaven and ascends to devout adoration--"Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." Next follows the heartfelt expression of dependence on 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." 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 praise--"Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen." We rejoice that our King reigns in providence and will reign in grace, and there will be no end of His dominion. Thus, this short model of prayer conducts the soul from a sense of adoption up to fellowship with our reigning Lord.