Page images
PDF
EPUB

A. Yes:-With whatever privacy they may be performed, "our heavenly Father who seeth in secret" will favourably regard them, and openly reward them in the day of judg

ment.

121 Q. Where did the hypocrites among the Jews love to pray?

A. In the public places; such as the synagogues, and corners of the streets.

122 Q. Was there any impropriety in this? A. Yes: It was through ostentation that they chose the places of public concourse for the exercise of private devotion.

123 Q. Which is the proper place for the exercise of private devotion?

A. Our "closet," or some place whither we can retire and pour out our souls to God, without attracting notice from our fellowcreatures.

124 Q. And what will be the consequence, if we accustom ourselves to call upon God in secret?

3

A. "Our Father who seeth in secret will reward us openly" with the blessings of providence, grace, and glory.

125 Q. What does our Lord prohibit under the term, "vain repetitions?"

A. He forbids an unreasonable recurrence of the same petitions in our prayers, as well as all words which do not express the desires of our hearts.

126 Q. Are we to expect that God will hear us for our "much speaking?"

A.

No:-We do not pray to inform God of our wants, or to persuade him to supply them; for our heavenly "Father knoweth what things we have need of before we ask him," and waiteth to be gracious to us. 127 Q. Why then are we required to pray for what we want?

A. As an acknowledgment of our dependance upon God, and in order to create and cherish in our hearts a due sense of our manifold necessities, and of his goodness in supplying them.

128 Q. Has Jesus Christ given us any directions respecting such a method of prayer as we ought to use?

A. Yes: When he repeated that form which we call The Lord's Prayer, he said to his disciples," After this manner pray ye." 129 Q. What do you understand by the direction given us to pray "after this manner?"

A.

I understand it,

1, As a particular direction daily to use the Lord's Prayer itself.

2, As a general intimation that the blessings therein mentioned are the proper objects of all our ordinary petitions.

3, That our prayers should be close and full, like the model there set before us.

130 Q. Of how many parts does the Lord's Prayer consist?

A. Of three: viz. The preface or introduction; the six petitions; and the conclusion. 131 Q. Which is the preface or introduction?

A. "Our Father which art in heaven." 132 Q. Who is your Father which is in heaven? A. God.

133 Q. Why do you call God, "Our Father?"

A. Because he hath made me and all man

kind; and because he is the Father of Jesus Christ, who took upon himself our nature, and" is not ashamed to call us brethren." 134 Q. Why do you call God your Father which is in heaven?

A.

135 Q. A.

Because "heaven is his throne," where he particularly manifests his glory. But is God in heaven only?

No:-He fills heaven and earth.

136 Q. What is the first petition of the Lord's

A.

Prayer?

"Hallowed be thy name."

137 Q. What do you mean by the name of God? A. God himself-his glorious nature, charac

ter, and perfections, as made known to us by his word.

138 Q. When is any thing said to be hallowed? A. When it is regarded as holy, and suitably honoured and respected.

139 Q. And when is God's name hallowed? A. When God is truly known, perfectly loved, and worthily magnified and served by his intelligent creatures.

140 Q. What is the substance of this first petition? A. That I and all mankind may be brought to the knowledge, love, and service of God. 141 Q. What is the second petition of the Lord's Prayer?

you offer

up

this

A. "Thy kingdom come." 142 Q. What do you mean when request? A. I mean to pray that I and all mankind may be filled with "righteousness, peace, and joy, in the Holy Ghost" on earth, and that at length we may inherit the kingdom of glory in heaven,

143 Q. A.

What is the third petition?

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

144 Q. How is the will of God made known to us? A. Partly by the law written in the heart, and by the dispensations of Providence, but more perfectly by the word of God.

145 Q. Who are they in heaven who do the will or God?

A. The Holy Angels.

146 Q. In what manner do they do his will?

A. Cheerfully, without backwardness; continually, without interruption; and perfectly, without defect.

147 Q. What then do you ask of God in these words? A. I ask, that I and all mankind may glorify God by doing his will concerning us, even as the angels do by their obedience to his will concerning them.

148 Q. What is the fourth petition?

A. "Give us this day our daily bread." 149 Q. What is signified by the term bread? A. All things pertaining to life and godliness-the bread that perisheth, and that which endureth to everlasting life.

E

150 Q. Why do you particularly pray for daily bread, or that which is sufficient for this day only?

A. Because we are commanded to "take no thought for the morrow."

151 Q. What is the substance of this request? A. That God would give me food and raiment sufficient, and whatever is necessary for the support of my body, and that he would enable me spiritually to eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ, (who is the true bread from heaven,) by feeding on him in my heart by faith.

152 Q. What is the fifth petition?

A.

"Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors."

153 Q. What are the debts with which we are chargeable in God's account?

A. Our sins.

154 Q. Can we discharge these debts by any sufferings of our own, or by our future obedience?

A. No:-We can pay nothing towards them, but, on the contrary, we are every day adding to their number; and should therefore daily beg of God frankly to forgive us all. 155 Q. But was not Christ made answerable for these debts-the sins of men?

A. Yes:-They were exacted of him, and as our surety he paid them, by his obedience unto death.

156 Q. What then do you desire of God in this petition?

« PreviousContinue »