THE LORD'S PRAYER

PARAPHRASED.

WHEN we consider the time when Christians are taught to say this prayer, we shall have reason to fear that too many continue to repeat it all their lives, with as little consideration, understanding, and devotion, as they first learned it.

This will make a short and plain paraphrase on this prayer both useful and acceptable to such as desire to understand what they pray for.

I

OUR FATHER, WHICH ART IN HEAVEN.

BESEECH Thee, O heavenly Father, not for myself only, but for all Thy children, that we may all live worthy of the relation which we bear to Thee; that we may not sin, knowing that we are accounted Thine; nor wilfully offend so great, so good, so tender a Father. But that we may love Thee, and fear Thee, not as slaves, but as children: that we may put our whole trust in Thee, and depend upon Thine infinite power, wisdom, goodness, and promise, to take care of us; that we may leave it to Thee to choose what is best for us; and bear with patience and resignation all Thy fatherly corrections: and that we may serve Thee

Rom. viii. 32. He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

THIS

HIS is indeed, O God, a sure pledge of Thine infinite love for Thy poor creatures.

Upon this I depend, when my heart is in heaviness. This is my refuge, when I remember my sins and Thy Divine justice. O make me truly sensible of this Thy great love and give me the graces which that love sees needful for me, for Jesus Christ's sake, the Son of Thy love. Amen.

St. Luke xxiv. 26. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?

IT

T was necessary for Thee, O Christ, to suffer, because Thou tookest upon Thee to answer for sinners; and to show us what treatment our sins deserve. O make my sufferings in this life, in union with Thine, acceptable to God; and enable me to bear them, as Thou didst, with patience and resignation, this being the only way to glory. Amen.

2 Cor. v. 15. Christ died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them.

FROM this moment, O Christ, I consecrate that life to

Thee, which Thou hast redeemed by Thy most precious blood from the slavery of sin and Satan. Fortify my soul, I beseech Thee, against all the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, by the remembrance of this Thy love; that I may live to Thee, and to the glory of God. Amen.

with comfort and pleasure all our days, in hopes of the inheritance which Thou hast promised Thy obedient children.

HALLOWED BE THY NAME.

THOU art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power: for Thou hast created all things, and all Thy works praise Thee. Fill our hearts, O God, with a zeal for Thy glory, that we may do Thee honour by leading holy lives, and by paying a great regard to every thing that belongs to Thee, Thy Name, Thy day, Thy house, Thine Ordinances, and Thy Ministers: and that others, seeing our good works, may glorify our Father which is in heaven.

THY KINGDOM COME.

ENLARGE Thy Kingdom, O God, and deliver the

world from the dominion and tyranny of Satan, that the kingdoms of the earth may become the kingdoms of Jesus Christ. Hasten the time which Thy Spirit hath foretold, when all nations whom Thou hast made shall worship Thee, and glorify Thy Name. Bless the good endeavours of those that strive to propagate the Gospel of Thy kingdom; and prepare the hearts of all men to receive it. May all such as own Thee for their King become Thy faithful subjects! Vouchsafe to reign in our hearts, and subdue our wills entirely to Thine; and prepare us by Thy good Spirit for the kingdom of glory.

THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

D1

ISPOSE me, and all Thy children, O Lord and Father, to submit cheerfully to whatever Thy providence shall order for us. Hearken not to the corrupt

desires of our hearts: but to the voice of Thine own wisdom, goodness, and mercy. Give us a true knowledge of our duty, and a heart disposed to close with Thy will, whenever it shall be made known to us, and to perform it with pleasure. Subdue in us whatever is contrary to Thy holy will, that through Thy grace we may at last become perfect, as our heavenly pattern is.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD.

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WE up unto, and depend upon Thee, O

heavenly Father, for all the necessaries and conveniences of this present life. And may our bodily wants engage us to go daily to the throne of grace for the wants of our souls! Let thy blessing go along with our honest endeavours, and keep us from all Give us grace unjust ways of bettering our condition.

to impart to such as are in want of what Thou shalt give us more than our daily bread; and, with all Thy other favours, give us, we beseech Thee, the blessing of a thankful and contented mind.

AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THEM THAT TRESPASS AGAINST US.

FORGIVE us those sins, O heavenly Father, which

separate us from Thee: forgive us every day of our lives; for every day we stand in need of pardon: give me, and all Christians, a forgiving temper, that we may fulfil this condition of our pardon. Thou art good and merciful in forgiving us; grant that we may be so to others, remembering our own infirmities. And may we all live in the same charitable temper in which we hope and desire to die..