Lord’s Prayer
79
The very first step in approaching God is to know and believe the
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love that He has to us (
1 John 4:16
); for it is through the drawing of
His love that we are led to come to Him.
The perception of God’s love works the renunciation of selfishness.
In calling God our Father, we recognize all His children as our brethren.
We are all a part of the great web of humanity, all members of one
family. In our petitions we are to include our neighbors as well as
ourselves. No one prays aright who seeks a blessing for himself alone.
The infinite God, said Jesus, makes it your privilege to approach
Him by the name of Father. Understand all that this implies. No
earthly parent ever pleaded so earnestly with an erring child as He
who made you pleads with the transgressor. No human, loving interest
ever followed the impenitent with such tender invitations. God dwells
in every abode; He hears every word that is spoken, listens to every
prayer that is offered, tastes the sorrows and disappointments of every
soul, regards the treatment that is given to father, mother, sister, friend,
and neighbor. He cares for our necessities, and His love and mercy
and grace are continually flowing to satisfy our need.
But if you call God your Father you acknowledge yourselves His
children, to be guided by His wisdom and to be obedient in all things,
knowing that His love is changeless. You will accept His plan for your
life. As children of God, you will hold His honor, His character, His
family, His work, as the objects of your highest interest. It will be your
joy to recognize and honor your relation to your Father and to every
member of His family. You will rejoice to do any act, however humble,
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that will tend to His glory or to the well-being of your kindred.
“Which art in heaven.” He to whom Christ bids us look as “our
Father” “is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased.”
In His care we may safely rest, saying, “What time I am afraid, I will
trust in Thee.”
Psalm 115:3
;
56:3
.
“Hallowed be Thy name.”—Matthew 6:9.
To hallow the name of the Lord requires that the words in which
we speak of the Supreme Being be uttered with reverence. “Holy and
reverend is His name.”
Psalm 111:9
. We are never in any manner to
treat lightly the titles or appellations of the Deity. In prayer we enter
the audience chamber of the Most High; and we should come before