Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-07-19
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JULY ~.

Subject: Jesus Teaching How to Pray,
Luke XII, l.13-Golden Text, Luke xi4
1-Memory Verses, 0, 1O-Topic: How
to supplioate-Commenta
I. Christ teaching His disciples to
pray Tvs. Ia. 1. "Was praying" It
was the habit of Christ to pray. "When
He ceased" Perhaps He was praying
such powerful prayer as to arouse
the feeling that they knew not how to
pray Alright. "As John also taught
Each new dispensation may not only
have its new unfolding of truths. but
its new revelations may open new
modes of access, and new topics of
prayer and modes Of worship. A differ.
ent prayer was offered In the Mosaic
ritual from the patriarchal form. John
opened up new scope of prayer, and
this new dispensation requires of Jesus
to set the range Of prayer In accord.
ance with the new range Of truth. and
tho new position of man with God.
2. "Say." The beauty and value of
the lessons in the Lords prayer arise
from, /. The tone of holy confidence
1t teaches us to approach God as our
Father Nom. 9:15), in love as well az
holy fear 2. Its absolute unselfish'
ness--it Is offered for all the brother
hood of man. g. Its. entire spirituality
of seven petitions, one only is for any
earthly boon, and that only for the sim.
plest. A. Its brevity and absence Of
all vain repetitions (Eccl. 5:2). s. Its
simplicity, which requires not learn.
Ing, but only holiness and sincerity fol-
It's universal comprehension. For
these reason the fathers called 1t the
"epitome of the gospel" "Our Faith
en-" An expression of love and condo
gccnsion. (Which art in heaven" In
the former clause we express His near
ness to us, in this His distance from
us. This phrase In the Scriptures
seems used to express, /. His omni
presence Il Kings S:27). 2. His maj
esty and dominion e Chron. 20:G. )
His power and might (psa. 1853. A.
His omniscience usa. 33:13-15). 5
His infinite purity and holiness 0sa
57:15). "lTallowed be Thy name" The
"lame" stands for the man himself
his character, his ability, his posses
sions. "Thy kingdom come" The
kingdom of His power, His gospel, His
grace and His glory. ".Thy will be
DONE" The will of God is infinitely
good, wise and holy. "As In heaven"
BY the angels and all the hosts Of heav.
en-. 80 in earth" by mortale.
3. "Give u.s." The good things Of
this life are the gifts of God. Day
by day" In the order In which our
needs arc felt. "Our daily bread"
Life's mostcolnmon necessity. Strength
to gain It, skill to earn II, power to eat
all are from God.
4. "Forgve Us our sins Sin Is
here represented as debt 1--WE also
forgive" Else how could we entreat
Thee for pardon. Not into tcmpta'
ton" AS 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 tcmpta-
ton a weapon for tie uncertain future,
that we may not fall again under the
might Of evil. Deliver us from evil
From all the wicked fascination and
miserable results of sin. from it's blind.
ness and inscnsibility, from its unspir.
itunity and rebellion, from its hard
ness and its punishueut from all that
dishonors God and ruins the soul. from
its guilt, its power, its shame and its
doom.
II. The parable of the importunate
borrower US. J-SD. >. "He said AL.
though idle repctitons In prayer are
forbidden, Vet persistcncy and impor.
tunty in prayer. wrestling with cod
and not letting Him 20 until He has
blessed us, are here distinctly taught
See Luke 1918. "MilNight." In those
hot countries it Is common, where it
can be done safely, to travel in the
night. LEND me-" 1t was usual with
the Jews to borrow bread of ono an.
other.
C.. "Friend-is come" Bcniehtcd.
Debated and who has lost his way. A
strong reason why he should have
prompt relief. Z. "Trouhle me not
The trouble made him insensible both
Of the urgency Of tho case and the
claims Of friendship. an bed" We
learn from travellers that it Is usual i'll
the East for whole family to sleep
in the same room, each laying his mat
trass on the floor. II cannot" With
out eNertion, which was equal to. Il
will not" 8. "IIis importantly" Lit
orally. his shamelessness; that is, his
unbluSling persistence.
Ill The disciples urged to persist
cnry In prayer I've. 9-13>. 8. Il say
unto YOU" We have it from Christ's
own mouth. Who knows His Fathers
mind. "Ask--Seek knock" In every
thing. by prayer and suopllcation, We
are to make our requests known anto
God: then we are to "Scck'
to ask and knock at the door Of His
mercy.
IL. "Everyone-recelveth,' etc.
Christ pronliseth to hear and answer.
Ne sonl can pray IL vain that prays
rs God las directed. II. y. "lf son
shall ash" etc. From that when the
friend will Go. the discourse OF the 81
vlour rises even to that which one
could expect of father" and from
that which an imperfect earthly father
does even 10 that which the perfect
Father in heaven bestOWs.
Il. "Being evil" Sinful people are
ready aud anxious to give good gifts
to their children. How much more
How much more will one whose natur"
is love and who Is Infinitely holy ana
good give good things TO them that ask
IJim. "i1o1y Spirit" The esseAce OF
all cool gifts which the Father In hca-
ven can hcstow OH His praying child.
"In thcm that ask" The asking must
be hearty, sincere. earnest. feryent aud