The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-05-11
TIE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR MAY l..

| verses, l1-lS - commentary OH tho
Days Lesson.
I. Christ teaching His disciples to pray
habit Of Christ to . pray. Many instances
are referred to in the gospels besides the
general statement in Heb. S: T. When
He ceased" Perhaps He was praying such
a, powerful prayer as to arouse the feeling
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 Aew 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
different prayer was offered in the Mosaic
ritual from the patriarehal form. John
opened up new scope of prayer; and this
the range of prayer in accordance with the
new range Of truth, and the new position
Of man with God.
2. "Say" The beauty and value of tho
lessons in the Lords prayer arise from:..
!. The tone of holy confidence; it teaches
US to approach God as our Father (Rom.
8: l5), in love as well as holy fear. 2. It's
absolute unselfshness; it Is offered for all
the brotherhood of man. g.. It's entire
spirituality; of it's seven petitions, one
only is for any earthly boon, and that only
for the simplest 4. It's brevity and abb
sence of all vain repetitions (Eccl. 5: p.
5. 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 "epitome Of
the gospel and "the pearl of prayers y
"Our Father" An expression of love and
condescepsion. Here are two grand ideas:l
/. That tender and respectful love which,
we should, feel for God, such as that which
strong confidence in. Gods love to us, such
as fathers have for their children. This
relation dictates to us reverence for His
person, zeal for His honor, obedience to-
| His will, submission to His dispensations
and chastisements, and resemblance to His
nature. Which art in heaven" In the
former clause we express His nearness to
us, in this His distance from US. In this
we contrast Him with the fathers we have
heaven" where He dwells, and that ma,
! jesty and glory which are there, as in their
proper home. -:
8. "Give u.s." The good things Of this
life are the gifts of God. This teaches
US our dependence upon Him, and is q
lesson of contentment, frugahty and pa,
tient labor, moderation, beneyo,ence and
faith. DAY by day" In the order in,
which our needs are felt. Sour daily,
bread" Life's most common necessity
Strength to gain it, skill to earn it, power
to eat it-all are from God. From HIM IT. the
soil, the seed, the sun, the harvest. This
includes prayer for the instruction Of
Gods word, which is often compared To-
food (Jop %: p; ! Tim. 4: g: and for the
assistance and support of His grace, for
strength to do His will, for that bread
whica endureth unto everlasting life. q :
4. Forgive us. our Sins" Sin. is here
represented as a 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 an and !
how could we entreat Thee for pardon?,
mot into temptation" Is the prayer for
daily bread raises US above care for to-day,
and the prayer for the forgiveness Of sins
is meant to quiet US concerning the past, ,
so is the prayer against temptation q
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. i
II. The parable of the importunate bor-
rover Tvs. 5-S). S. "He said" Although
idle repetitions in prayer are forbidden
yet persistency and Importantly in prayer,
wrestling with God and not letting Him,
20 until He has blessed US, are. here dis-,
tinctly taught. See Luke Is: l-9. 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
be done. 5. Friend; is come" Be-
nighted, belated, and who has lost his
way. A strong reason why he should have
7. 'STrouble me not" The trouble made
him insensible both of the urgency OF the
case and the claims of friendship. "In
bed" We learn from travellers that it is
usual in the East for whole family to
sleep in the same room. each laying his
mattress on the floor. II cannot" With.
out exertion, which was equal to II will
his shamelessness; that is, his unblushing
persistence. His perseverance in asking
and stating his own inability to supply
friend. "As many" His reluctance once
overcome, all the claims of friendship and
necessity are fe.t to the full. -.
III. The disciples used to persistency in
prayer Tvs. 9-l3). 9. "I 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 cur 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
sincerity. These three words include the
ideas of want and loss. We are destitute
Of all spiritual good, and have, lost God,
and are in danger of losing eternal HE; be
in earnest; be importunate; ask with con;
fdence and humility; seek with care and
application; knock loudl and long, ~.
"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
II, p. 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 chli,
dren who call upon Him. l3. 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 SUD
port and comfort.