The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-01-29
The International Sunday School Lesson.
January 30, isos. Matthew Vi, b-l5
HOW TO PRAY.

HOW TO PRAY.
On the inky background of asblended
Pharlseelsm and heathenlsm, Jesus
causes true prayer to stand In clear-cut
outline. For some, prayer was the play
ing of part. The place where they con-
trived to pray was so ordered as to In
sure them human audience. Their at
titude was spectacular. Such prayers
were always answered. The thing
sought was admiration and applause. 1t
was not withheld. Jesus intlmates the
parity OF heathenism and Phariseelsm
when, without hiatus, he proceeds to de-
precate the pagan custom OF babbling-
OF endless Iteration Of phrases. s.
Having Indicated what prayer IS not,
he proceeds to affirm its essential char
acter. Prominent in this IS its retiring
spirit. It seeks the closet. 1t closes the
door. Its one concern Is to be seen and
heard OF God. At the same time It recog-
nizes the fact that Omlniscence must.
know the need before 1t Is framed into
words. According to his custom.
JESUS now gives specific example OF n
right prayer; "a pattern prayer, so ex-
actly suited to the. wants Of men that It
has become the basis and substance of
all Christian worship" 1t IS. a fine ex-
ample of. the avoidance OF many words
insisted upon. The equilibrium between
comprehensiveness and condemnation is
maintained as Jesus only could maintain
1t. The exordium IS a revereaaAi ad-
dress to the Deity, in which his exist
ence. unity, and paternal character are
adoringly recognized. -. AS the
kingdom Of heaven Is practically the
topic Of the sermon in general, so 1t Will
be found the solvent OF this prayer in
particular. The coming of theikingdom
will insure the hallowing Of the Divine
Name and the doing OF the Divine will,
as IN heaven, so on earth. The coming
OF the kingdom insures a.bsolutiop, re-
duces temptations, and consequently de-
uvers from evil. C ritlcism has
fairly established the fact that the dox-
ology was not q part Of the prayer as
originally given. But the lofty ascrip-
ton churdS so perfectly that twill prob
ably continue in use forever.
MOSAIC FROM COMMENTARIES.
When thou prayest: (Etymologically)
with a vow. Praying Alright, man
binds himself with vow to live to Gods
glory IL the petition is granted. Clarke.
-. Hypocrites: Literally, play
actors. Whedon. -. Corners OF the
streets: Pharisees contr!ved to be over
taken in the streets by the canonical
hours for prayer. Clarke. -. En-
ter into thy closet: The heart Is the
closet TO which we should retire. Ben
gel. !. Shut thy door: In any case.
shut the door OF thy senses. Stler.
Vain repetltiohs: Iteration OF
words. Bengel. Let there not be much
speaking, yet much prayer: not super
nuous words, but q continual plous at
fiction of heart. Augustine. 49,.
Before ye ask: We pray them, not to in
struct the Father. Bengel. AZ
ter this manner: This formula IS con-
trasted with much speaking. contains
the words which suit the matter best,
arranged in the utmost wisdom, and Is
so admirably full in Its brevty that II
cmbndles, for example, this entire SER
mon of Christ. Ibid. AS n whole, the
Lords Prayer is one thought-the desire
of Gods kingdom. to which all the
prayers of his children may be. resolved.
Olshausen. The Christian prays an ever
lasting Lords Prayer. Luther. -.
Our Father: Against atheism, nanthe-
ism, polytheism. Whedon. Each speaks
for all. Ibid. Art In the heavens.
or supreme glory and goodness. Ibid.
49,. Kingdom come: By our willing
submission 10 1t. Ibid. =, Earth as
In heaven: Men as obedlcnt as angels.
Earth counterpart OF heaven. Bcngel,
=. y Dally.breld: First among peti-
tons, because natural precades spiritual.
Bengel. -. AS we forgive: He asks
eternal vengeance upon himself who
offers this prayer with hatred in his
heart Ibid. - Lead US not:
Temptation always In the way; there
fore We pray, not that It may not exist,
but that 1t may not ovcrpower. Ibid. :.
3. Thine be the kingdom: The doX-
.ology on insertion, probably, from an an
Client liturgy. Ibid,