The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-04-27
THE SUNDAY :. SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR MAY 1.
Subject; Prayer ana Promise, Luke XII, 1.
13-Golden Text. Luke XII, On emory
Verses. 11-13 - Commentary Oh the
Days Lesson.


Verses. lib - Commentary Oh tn,
Days Lesson.
L. Christ teaching His disciples to pray
| lvs'. la. i. Was praying" 1t was the
habit of Christ to pray. MANY instances
are referred to in the gospels besides thu
general statement in Heb. 8: I. When
lie ceased Perhaps He was praying such
q powerful prayer as to arouse the feeling
tnat they Knew not how to pray and
needed to be taught. Teach us to pray."
They knew that prayer was important, and
they had desire for ability to pray Alright.
As John also taught Each new dis
pensation may not only have its new un
folding OF truths, but its new revelations
may open new modes OF access, and new
topics OF prayer and modes of worship. A
Inherent prayer was offered in the Mosaic
ritual from the patrarchal form. John
opened up new scope of prayer; and this
new dispensatiOn requires OF Jesus to set
the range of prayer in accordance with the
new range OF truth, and the new position
)f man with God.
2. Say The beauty and value of the
lessons in the Lords prayer arise from:
|. The tone OF holy confidence; it teaches
us to approach God as our Father from.
); l5), in love as well as holy fear .. Its
ABSOLUTE unseltishness; it is offered for all
the brotherhood of man. 8. Its entire
spirituality; OF its seven petitions, one
only Is for any earthly boon, and that only
for the simplest. 4. Its brevity and ab-
sence OF all vain repetitions (Eccl. 5: p.
}. Its simplicity. which requires not learn.
ing, but only holiness and sincerity for its
universal comprehension. For these rea.
sons the Fathers called it the "eptome of
the gospel. and THE pearl OF prayers"
Our Father An expression of love and
.ondcscenslon. Here are two grand ideas:
|. That tender and respectful love which
we should feel for God, such as that which
al fnal 4l,,,
strong confidence in Gods love to us, such
as fathers have for their children. This
relation dictates TO lis reverence for His
person, zeal for His honor, obedience to
His WILL submission to His dispensations
and chastlsements, and resemblance to His
nature. Which art in heaven" In the
tormer clause we express His nearness to
us, in this His distance from us In this
we contrast Him with the fathers we have
here below, and so raise our souls to that
heaven where He dwells, and that ma.
lesty and glory which are there, as IL their
proper home.
3. Give us" The good things of this
life are the gifts OF God. This teaches
us our dependence upon Him, and is a
lesson OF contentment, frugaity and pa
tlent labor, moderation, heEevoence and
:aith; Day by day" In the order in
which our needs are felt. Our daily
bread. Life's most common necessitys
Strength to gain it. skill to earn it, power
to eat it-ali are from God. From Him the
soil, the seed, the sun, the harvest. This
includes prayer Tor the instruction OF
Gods word, which is often compared to
tood (Joo %; II; Tim. I: o. and for the
assistance and support OF His grace, for
strength to do His will, for that bread
which endurcth unto everlasting life.
4. Forgive Us our sins Sin is here
represented as debt Man has nothing to
pay; if his debts are not forgiven they
must stand charged against him forever;
Sin is an old debt, just debt, great and
growing debt. I'VE also forgive Else
how could We entreat Thee for pardon?
Not into temptation" AS the prayer for
daily bread raises us above care Tor to-day,
and the prayer for the forgiveness of sins
is meant to quiet us concerning the past,
so is the prayer against temptation II
weapon for the uncertain future, that we
may not fall again under the might OF
evil. Deliver. us from evil" From all
the wicked fascination and miserable re-
suits of sin.
II. The parable OF the importunate Dor.
rover tvs 5-S). D. "He said" Although
idle repetitions in prayer are forbidden,
yet perslstency and importantly in prayer,
wrestling with God and not letting Him
go until He has blessed us, are here dis
tinctly taught. See Luke Is: Is. Mid
night" In those hot countries it is com.
mon, where it can be done safely, to travel
in the night Lend me- 1t was usual
with, the Jews to borrow bread from one
another; and certain rules are laid down
when and upon what condition this is to
be done. @. Friend; is come" Be-
nghted, belated. and who has lost his
way. A strong reason why he should have
prompt relief.
7. Trouble me not" The trouble made
him insensibe both OF the urgency of the
case and the claims of friendship. I'm
bed We learn from travellers that it is
usual in the East for whole family to
sleep in the same room, each laying his
out exertion. which was equal to 81 will
not" s. His importantly" Literally,
his shameiessness; that is, his unblushing
persistence. His perseverance in asking
and stating his owl, inability to supply
friend. ''As many" His reluctance once
necessity are felt to the full.
III. The disciples used, to persistency in
prayer Tvs. 9-l3). 0. IL say unto you"
We have it from Christ's own mouth who
knows His Fathers mind, and in whom all
promises are yea and amen. Ask, seek,
knock" This verse contains very import.
ant directions. In everything, by prayer
and supplication, we are to make our re-
quests known unto God; then we are to
seek" continue to ask and knock at the
door of His mercy; Our approaches to
God should be with earnestness and in
ideas OF want and loss. We are destitute
of all spiritual good and have lost God,
and are in danger OF losing eternal life; be
in earnest be importunate; ask with con-
fidence and humility; seek with care and
application; knock loudly and long. 10.
Every one receiveth, etc." Christ binds
Himself to hear and answer. No soul can
pray in vain that prays as God has direct
ed. But our asking must be in harmony
with the will of God, and in faith (James
4: 2, 81.
II, IL. "If son shall ask, ETC." From
that which the friend will do the discourse
Of the Saviour rises even to that which
one could expect of "father;" and from
that which an imperfect earthly father
does even to that which the perfect
Father in heaven bestows. The stone rep.
resents to us useless gifts, the serpent and
the scorpion things which are really harm
full. If human fathers would not give
either one or the other to their children,
then it is impossible that our father in
heaven will mock the prayers of His chill.
dren who call upon Him. 10. being evil"
Sinful people are ready and anxious to
give good gifts to their children. From
natural affection they are ready to pro-
vide everything necessary to their sup.
port and comfort.