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The Model Prayer, September 12
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in
heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done
in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And
forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and
the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13
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[
Diary entry, August 2, 1902.
] This morning my prayer to the Lord is
for His rich grace. I never choose to begin a day without receiving special
evidence that the Lord Jesus is my Helper, and that I have the rich grace
that it is my privilege to receive.
In my morning devotions I have regarded it my privilege to close my
petition with the prayer that Christ taught to His disciples. There is so much
that I really must have to meet the needs of my own case that I sometimes
fear that I shall ask amiss; but when in sincerity I offer the model prayer
that Christ gave to His disciples I cannot but feel that in these few words
all my needs are comprehended. This I offer after I have presented my
special private prayer. If with heart and mind and soul I repeat the Lord’s
prayer, then I can go forth in peace to my work, knowing that I have not
asked amiss....
The scribes and the Pharisees often offered their prayers in the market
places and in the streets of the cities. Christ called them hypocrites. In
every age men have prayed “that they may be seen of men.” ... When Christ
sees in His disciples errors that are liable to lead them astray, He always
instructs them in the right way. He does not give an admonition without
also giving an instructive lesson showing how to remedy the error. After
instructing His disciples not to use “vain repetitions” in their prayers, in
kindness and mercy He gave them a short sample prayer in order that they
might know how to avoid imitating the prayers of the Pharisees. In giving
this prayer, He knew that He was helping human infirmity by framing into
words that which comprehends every human need. “We know not what
we should pray for as we ought,” but Christ’s instruction to us is clear and
definite
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14
Manuscript 146, 1902
.
269