Matthew 6:9-10 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

The Lord's Prayer (part 1).

In the Gospel of Luke this prayer is given in still briefer form. The occasion there was that the disciples, after the Lord had prayed, said to him, "Lord teach us to pray, even as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say. " Here, however, "After this manner pray ye." The use of forms is sanctioned; so is extemporary prayer. Better a " form of sound words" than no family worship. Consider—

I. THE ADDRESS TO GOD .

1 . It is a great truth that God is our Father.

2 . This Divine title is proper to the gospel dispensation.

3 . Note the plural , OUR Father.

4 . Note the place of his residence.

II. THE ASCRIPTION OF PRAISE .

1 . The Name of God stands for himself.

2 . To hallow is to revere God ' s Name.

3 . The Name of the Father should be everywhere revered.