JE 18
June 18
Luke 11:1-13. Christ encourages his disciples to pray.
How blessed must have been those seasons in which the Savior engaged in prayer with his beloved disciples! Once we find him praying with them on the mount of transfiguration—at another time in the garden of Gethsemane. On this occasion the name of the place is not recorded. Surely that was hallowed ground, where the Son of God offered up on the spotless altar of his heart the pure incense of prayer and praise.
After hearing his prayers, the disciples felt conscious of their own inability to pray. They were, like us, compassed with infirmities, and knew not what to pray for as they ought. In the spirit of little children they said to their Master, "Teach us to pray." This petition was pleasing to their Lord—it was immediately granted. The prayer he now taught them he had uttered in their presence when he delivered his sermon on the mount; but the disciples needed repeated instructions. It is a prayer for all that can make a human soul happy; no, more —it is a prayer for all that can make the universe happy.
The first three petitions may be called prayers for God, as it is written in the Psalms—"Prayer also shall be made for him continually." (Psalm 72:15.) The happiness of the universe depends upon God being established upon his throne. All creation would be filled with joy, if the name of the great and holy God were hallowed; if his kingdom were come; if his will were done; as it is written—"Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills be joyful together before the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth." Were any other being raised to this exalted state, he would neither be happy himself, nor would he make his fellow-creatures happy. No being but God is fit to be adored, to reign over all worlds, and to do what He will. Satan once aspired to sit in the seat of God—and what was the consequence? He became eternally wretched, and he plunged a host of his angelic companions in the same misery.
There are some petitions in this prayer suitable for fallen man alone, in all his weakness and his woe. We are made of clay, and we need bread; therefore we say, "Give us our daily bread." We have sinned, and we need pardon; therefore we say, "Forgive us our trespasses." We are liable to be conquered by sin and Satan, and we need deliverance from their power, and we cry, "Deliver us from evil."
If our hearts are in tune with this prayer, they are right in the sight of God. The unconverted never feel desirous for the things mentioned in this prayer, except for their daily bread. And are they satisfied with daily bread? O no! they are not content with necessary things, with food, clothing, and a shelter from the storm; they entertain a thousand exorbitant wishes; they desire pleasure, or praise, or wealth, or some other worldly gift which God has not promised to bestow. Instead of cherishing these unreasonable wishes, the Christian longs for the pardon of his sins, and for his deliverance from the evil one. Will these desires be granted?
Will an ungracious friend arise to grant a request that is urged in an earnest manner? And shall a gracious God refuse to hear fervent prayer? Will a sinful father give bread, and not a stone to a hungry child; a fish, and not a serpent; an egg, and not a scorpion? And shall our Holy Father give hell to those who ask for heaven? Since the beginning of the world He has never treated one of his children in this manner, and He never will.