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The
Lord's Prayer
Introduction:
Our Father who art in heaven (Matthew 6:9).
What does this mean? God would by these words tenderly invite
us to believe that He is our true Father, and that we are His true
children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as
dear children ask their dear father.
The
First Petition: Hallowed be Thy name (Matthew 6:9).
What does this mean? God’s name is indeed holy in
itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be holy among us also.
How
is God’s name kept holy? When the Word of God is taught in its
truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead a holy
life according to it. This grant us, dear Father in heaven. But he
who teaches or lives otherwise than God’s Word teaches, profanes
the name of God among us. From this, preserve us, heavenly Father!
The
Second Petition: Thy Kingdom Come (Matthew 6:10).
What does this mean? The Kingdom of God comes indeed without
our prayer, of itself; but we pray in this petition that it may come
to us also.
How is this done? When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy
Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy word and lead a
godly life, here in time and hereafter in eternity.
The
Third Petition: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
(Matthew 6:10).
What does this mean? The good and gracious will of God is
done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it
may be done among us also.
How is this done? When God breaks and hinders every evil
counsel and will which would not let us hallow His name nor let His
kingdom come, such as the will of the devil, the world and our flesh;
but strengthens and preserves us steadfast in His word and faith unto
our end. This is His gracious and good will.
The
Fourth Petition: Give us this day our daily bread (Matthew 6:11).
What does this mean? God gives daily bread indeed without our
prayer, also to all the wicked; but we pray in this petition that He
would lead us to know it and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
What is meant by daily bread? Everything that belongs to the
support and wants of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes,
house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious
children, pious servants, pious and faithful rulers, good government,
good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends,
faithful neighbors, and the like.
The
Fifth Petition: And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive
those who trespass against us (Matthew 6:12).
What does this mean? We pray in this petition that our Father
in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor on their account deny our
prayer; for we worthy of none of the things for which we pray,
neither have we deserved them; but that He would grant them all to us
by grace for we daily sin much and indeed deserve nothing but
punishment. So will we also heartily forgive and readily do good to
those who sin against us.
The
Sixth Petition: And lead us not into temptation (Matthew 6:13).
What does this mean? God indeed tempts no one; but we pray in
this petition that God would guard and keep us, so that the devil,
the world and our flesh may not deceive us nor seduce us into
misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice; and though we be
assailed by them, that still we may finally overcome and obtain the victory.
The
Seventh Petition: But deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13).
What does this mean? We pray in this petition, as the sum of
all, that our Father in heaven would deliver us from every evil of
body and soul, property and honor, and finally, when our last hour
comes, grant us a blessed end and graciously take us from this vale
of tears to Himself in heaven.
Conclusion:
Amen.
What does this mean? That I should be certain that these petitions
are acceptable to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him; for He
Himself has commanded us so to pray and has promised to hear us.
Amen, amen, that is, “yes, yes, it shall be so.” |
