The National tribune., 1896-03-05


Doxology.
e. AtteStation. Amen.
0. Reporters. Sts Matt aud Lake.
Notes on Outline.
l. We place an interrogation mark after Mt.
Olives. Some hold the spot was the Nj. Beati-
tudes.
q One who records the Prayer was present
when it was an nounced by Chrst-St. Matthew.
ST. John, who was also a nearer, does not men.
ton the prayer.
g. Where pray? This is answered in part
by the expression, "Who art in Heaven" So
there is no earth headquarters for GOD. He is
alike at all points of earth. God is omnipres-
cut
The Occasion
Our Savior was accustomed to pray. He
generally sought "A retired spot, and frequently
chose a mountain side. Example is power
full. The act of prayer on the part of Christ
suggested imitation 10 his followers. But what
| prayers were thcy to offer? 1t bad always been
u custom with religious teachers to enforce the
| duty Of prayer, and many instructors furnished
models of prayer ST. John Baptist gave his
disciples lessons as To praying and probably
| furnished them forms The Jews were accus.
| toned to the ritua!stc style of worship. i he
| prayers OF various religious teachers became
| known, and it was quite possible to determine
| the leader OF a worshipcr by tho 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 he peculiar for the disciples
| OF Christ gave Jesus good opportunity to
| denounce all formal or prepared prayers had
| no been opposed to the use of such devOtiouS.
| But without uttering single criticism even
cautionary suggestion as 10 forms of prayer
| in the Christian dispensation, Christ acceded
| to tho request for a model outline OF prayer.
| IL was doubtless very pleasing TO Jesus TO find
| ms disci pies eager 10 know how TO pray.
While Christ had no occasion to pray for for
| givcness of sin he dill offer petitions for help.
| Prayer does not imply sin. We do not know
| which Apostle expressed the wish to be taught
to pray and how to pray. Many infer from his
| impetuous and iuqusitive tendency that IL was
| st. Peter. 1t is plain The disciples were in the
| habit OF seeking instructions, asking questions,
| noticing the examples OF Christ. And 1t IS
| equally clear he impressed himsclf OH their
attention, was watched by them diligcnt
seekers for knowledge The teaching given by
Christ in this lesson seems to relate rather 10 So
ca than private prayer. The request OF the
| one who addressed Christ made as TO united
rather than as TO individual prayer" Teach
| u.s." efsf
Auihor the Prayer.
II is called the Lords prayer. 1t is not his
| because he used it when he prayed. He could
not offer such a petition. No perfectly holy
| being could use it, ilthas petitions inappIicable
| TO him; Z. g.. Fogive US" He never sinned.
! lie could be our Exemplar in the act of prayer,
| but not in the items of petition. He prayed
much but never in the words of tho Lords
! Prayer. 1t is the Lords Christie Prayer in
| the sense Of his being its Author. The ex-
preston the Lords Prayer" Is ambiguous.
| Ono would think the meaning to be that the
| Prayer is one which Christ held ne his own
| iavorite form Of petition. The Lords Prayer
| is the Lords because he taught it TO his fol-
| lowers: because he framed it, and so has
ownership over it by authorship.
| ST. Luke tells US IL: u how Christ came to
| give the world this form of prayer. 1t is said
one of his Disciples of time spoke thus to him :
+" Lord, teach us TO pray as John also taught his
disciples" In response to this request our
| Savior taught his followers what has since been
| known as the Lord s,Prayer.