The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-05-29
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical Duties Taught BIZ Study of tho Inter-
national Sunday school lesson Appointed for
June g, 1890. ST. Lake, 1i:I-I3.


June g, 1890. 81. Lake, ii lib.
zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures
Indicated above.l
SUBJECT: THE LORDS PRAYER.
1.-the Occasion.
Our Savior was accustomed to pray. Tie
generally sought a retired spot, and frequently
chose a mountainLside. Example is powerful.
The act of prayer on the part of Christ suggested
imitation to his followers. But what prayers
were they to oTorP II had always been a Gus
tom with religious teachers TO enforce the duty Of
prayer, and many instructors furnished models
of prayer st. John Baptist gavo his disciples
lessons as to praying and probably furnished
them forms. The Jews were accustomed to the
rituaistiC style of worship. The prayers of
various religious teachers became known, and
it was quite possible to determine tho leader of
n worshiper by the form Of his prayer. We
notice Christ at once acceded to the request to
furnish form of prayer for his followers. The
desire expressed for model prayer which was
to be peculiar for tho disciples of Christ gave
Jesus good opportunity to dcnounce all formal
or prepared prayers had he been opposed to the
use Of such dev0tiOus But without tutoring
single criticism or even cautionary suggestion
| rs TO forms of prayer in the Christian dispensa-
tion, Christ accedcd to the request for model
outline Of prayer IL was doubtless very pleas
ing TO Jesus to find his disciples eager to know
how to pray. While Christ had no occasion to
pray for forgiveness of sin he did offer petit
tions for help. Prayer does not imply sin. We
do not know which Apostle expressed the wish
TO be taught to pray aud how to pray. Many
infer from his impetuons and inquistive ten
dcncy that it was st. Peter. 1t is plain tho
disciples were in the habit of seeking instruc-
tons, asking questions, noticing the examples
of Christ. Aud it is equally clear he impressed
himself on their attention, was watched by
them as diligent seekers for knowledge The
teaching given by Christ in this lesson seems to
relate rather to social than private prayer. The
request of tho one who addressed Christ was
made as 10 united rather than as to individual
prayer" Teach u.s."
9. Suggestions.
a. Pray. BE given to private prayer. nave
n definite place places for your devotions
Use argument and oven illustration in prayer.
Cite cases favoring the granting of your re-
quests.
b. Do not interrupt persons engaged in their
private meditations and prayers. when he
ceased" Courtesy Is Christian virtue. The
benefit of n season of private prayer depends
much on its unbrokon continuity.
c. Notice the utility of good example. When
Christ prayed the disciples began to think about
the duty and benefit Of prayer
q. Initiate noble examples.
{. Seek information as To religious duties.
our questions. His ministers are his repre-
seutatives, aud Christians have right to con-
suit them in all religious matters One should
be thoroughly informed as 10 the duty aud
privilege and spirit aud method of prayer,
since prayer is fundamental and essential
Christian obligation and right aud advantage.
!. BE respectful in the use of proper titles
when addressing persons, and that particularly
when they are your superiors. This is a special
duty Of pupils rs 10 their teacher.
q. Do not be selfish in your requests made to
Jesus. Teach US" said the Apostle.
3. The Prayer
a. The data. The prayer Is given by only
SITS. Matthew and Luke 1t is probable St
Matthew heard Christ utter tho form known as
the Lords Prayer. See ST. Matt, 6 9-13 aud
st. Luke. IL: 2-4)
b. The time. We may date the Prayer No
vomber, A. d. %. about four months before
Christ's death. IL was probably in the early
part OF the day, sFuce Jesus generally left Beth
any each morning, aud the instruction occurred
on the way.
c. The place. Our Savior had spent tho
night at the home OF Lazarus, Mary and Martha
tSt Luke, 10 -, 8al Wo next find him ut
Jerusalem. Our lesson may DO therefore located
at some point on the route between bethany
aud the Capital The two places were about
two miles apart, tho Mount of Olives interven-
ing. The Prayer was taught on Mount Olivet
Il, To whom taught. it is plain Tho Twelve
were present. not unlikely some of The
Seventy may have heard the teaching. (St
Luke l0:iT.)
{. Origin OF the Prayer. 1t Is contentious
aud we can find here and there in tho Old
Testament, aud also in the classics, very sim
liar expressions. Thus wo might DO able 10
pick out from some earlier writings almost
every item Of tho Lords Prayer. II was, some
say, Christs work to coIate these. We are not
certain, however, that tho Prayer is n compila-
ton. Ii IL be. we would not appreciate IL the
less II Is n form Endorsed by our Savior. and
hence authoritative. II Is the language Of de-
yOtlon. IL is model for all prayer. Henry
Ward Beechcr declared of it. "Ail prayer may
be said 10 be crystalized in this prayer; the
Church has worn IL on her bosom for hundreds
OF years AS the brightest gem of dGvotion." All
can use It, old and young; cultured aud ignor-
ant; tho inexperienced just learning how TO
pray and the saint of many years OF dcvout
pilgrimage; the physically strong and the mau
gaspinR his final brcaths. IL Is the way, plain,
easy, sacred, straight, up to the Mercy Seat. 1t
Is prayer for all to use, and prayer which
includes everything for which all may ask.
There IS not wretch on earth who has not q
right 10 say, penitently, Our Father"
!. Analysis. We have first the prolog which
embraces the title given 10 God. Then follows
l5one say pelti0ns-three relating TO God
and three relating TO mankind. The epilog
succeeds, consisting OF the doXolopy. The
conclusion Is tho attostation, TO wit, Amen"
O. Outline.
/. 10 Whom TO pray2 TO God, our Father.
2. Who can pray2 All. Our Father.
3. Where pray2 Everywhere. God Is in
Heaven, seeing and hearing all.
4. When pray? Daily.
8. What pray2
Il. AS 70 God.
l. lialowcd be thy name.
2. Thy Kingdom como.
3. Thy will be done.
b. AS TO mankind.
!. Daily bread
2. Forgiveness.
3. Guidance
4. Dcliyerance.
@. Foundation of the prayer2 God is King.
with power aud glory and eternity Of exist
ence.
z. Attestationr Amen.
h. Suggestions.
!. The Lords Prayer is our prayer. Offer 1t,
study it, Make 10 model for all devotion.
2. Forms of prayer are proper.
3. BE sure lie who gave us prayer will al
ways hear it.
4. Ask Christ to teach us how to pray
5. Thank God for the lords Prayer. Moo
can tell what comfort that prayer has brought
TO our world.
6. The world is q fraternity. We have one
Father. Have interest for all mankind Work
for missions.
z. Seek daily communion with God for both
h. n gb ar igti nd Is pia al