5. For what do we pray in the first three petitions? For what in the Fourth Petition? We learn from this that we may pray for everything that is needful for our welfare, both spiritual and temporal things. "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11,24. In how many petitions do we ask for the heavenly or spiritual things, which we need for our souls? In one petition the Lord teaches us to pray for our daily bread, for our wants here on earth. Whenever we pray, we should first of all pray for those gifts which we need for our salvation. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," our Lord tells us. Matt. 6,33. Above all we should pray for the gift of God's pure Word, for the Holy Ghost, in order that by His grace we may believe His holy Word and lead a godly life, that His will may be done among us, and that we may remain faithful to our Lord and obtain eternal life.
6. The Fourth Petition follows the one in which our Lord teaches us to pray that God's good and gracious will may be done. When we are praying for our daily bread, asking God for the things we need for our body and our temporal welfare, we should submit everything to God's will, that is, we should pray that God would grant us these gifts, if it is His will, if they tend to His glory and to our welfare. "This is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us." 1 John 5,14.
7. Our Lord teaches us to say not my, but our Father; indeed, throughout the whole prayer we always include our neighbor in our petitions. He wants us to pray for our neighbors, not only for our friends and relatives, but for all men, even for our enemies. "Pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you." Matt. 5,44.
8. In the last three petitions the Lord tells us to bring our cares and troubles, our afflictions and sorrows of every kind, before the Lord. Indeed, we ought to pray at all times. "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thess. 5,17. Especially, however, we should pray in times of trouble and need. "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." Ps. 50,15.
REMEMBER:—
1. Always pray to the true God, the Father of your Lord Jesus Christ, who through Him is also your Father. Come to Him in Christ's name. That is His will, and He alone can and will hear such prayers.
2. Pray in Christ's name, with full confidence that your prayer is acceptable to God and heard. Pray in the same manner as a dear child asks his dear father.
3. Ask Him for all you need for the welfare of your body and soul; in the first place, however, for the welfare of your soul, for your salvation. In asking for temporal blessings submit your will to God's will. Not my, but Thy will be done, my heavenly Father.
4. Do not forget to include in your prayer your neighbor, all men, even your enemies. Finish your prayer with a confident "Amen; yea, yea, it shall be so."
MEMORIZE:—