The Lords Prayer.

Adapted From A Sermon By

George Burder

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

 (Matthew 6:9-13)

Our text this morning is Matthew 6 verses 9 to 13: the Lord’s prayer.

Prayer to God is the compulsory duty of all men. The apostle Paul tells us that “In him we live and move and have our being.”(Acts 17:28) And James writes that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”(James 1:17) Men therefore “ought always to pray and not lose heart.”(Luke 18:1)

We are so sinful, that we always need mercy. We are so weak, that we always need help. We are so empty, that we always need supplies. We are so exposed, that we always need protection. How reasonable then that we should be often in prayer!

But we need much help in how we should pray. We do not know how to pray, nor what to pray for, as we ought. Therefore Christ has been pleased to teach us in these words, which contain an excellent pattern for prayer. Not that we are tied down to use these very words, much less to use them always; but in this way, or like this, we are to pray. Now as there are many who constantly use this prayer, it may be very useful to explain it; because it is to be feared that a great many say the words without knowing their meaning, which is formality at best; and many contradict every part of this prayer by their worldly lives, which is shurely hypocrisy. May we therefore be assisted by the Holy Spirit to rightly understand it, that so, whenever we use it from now on, we may offer up a reasonable and spiritual sacrifice, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

I. Our Father in heaven.

We should always begin our prayer with proper thoughts of God. And what thoughts of him are so proper as those suggested by these words, namely, his goodness and his greatness? As a father he is good. As a heavenly father he is great. In this way we are taught to approach him with confidence and reverence.

As the Creator of all men, God may, in a general sense, be called the father of all: but it is in a higher and sweeter sense that he is here called a father. We are to take it in a Gospel view—God reconciled to believing sinners through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.

God is angry with the wicked every day. He does not look down upon them with a father’s eye, nor do they look up to him with a child-like spirit. Therefore this prayer is not fit for the use of a man who lives in sin, whose carnal mind is hostile to God. How dare the swearer, the liar, the idolater, call God a father? God will not own the relation. If such men pray, might they not rather cry—Our father in hell? for Christ said to such persons, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires.”(John 8:44)

But when a person is convinced of his lost condition by sin; when he is enlightened to know Christ as a Savior; and when by precious faith he comes to God through him; then God is reconciled to him; his anger is turned away, and he comforts him. Then he may look up to God as a merciful God, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin; for “to all who did receive him, who believed in his name,” and the atonement through him, “he gave the right to become children of God;”(John 1:12) and to such only is “the Spirit of adoption” given by whom they cry “Abba, father.”(Romans 8:15)

For it is one thing to use the word father, and another to approach him, as a loving child comes to a tender parent, with a persuasion of his being able and willing to meet his needs. To such persons this name is full of comfort; for they are emboldened to believe, that if earthly parents, though evil, know how to give good gifts to their children, God, our heavenly father, is much more disposed to do them good, and bless them with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus.

But this name teaches us also the greatness of God. Children ought to treat their earthly parents with great respect: but what reverence is due to the Father of spirits, whose throne is in the heavens! indeed, “heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain him.”(1 Kings 8:27) God is present everywhere; he is not confined to heaven; but he is said to dwell there, because there he displays the brightest beams of his glorious majesty; and there angels and saints bow low before his feet, crying, day and night, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty!”(Revelation 4:8) Such thoughts as these should possess our minds when we say, Our Father in heaven. Think of his goodness and his greatness when you pray. Take care to lift up-your hearts to heaven when you pray to him who dwells in heaven, or else your prayers will never reach his throne.

II. Hallowed be your name!

This is the first petition; and is placed first, to show us that our first and greatest desire should be that God may be glorified; for that is the meaning of it.

Now the name of God stands for God himself; as he is pleased to make himself known to us by his names and titles, his words and works: for as a man is known to us by his name, so God has made himself known to us in the gospel. There all his glorious perfections come together and shine. There he shows himself “a righteous God and a Savior.”(Isaiah 45:21)

Now, to hallow God’s name, is to sanctify it; to hold it sacred; for to sanctify anything is to set it apart from every profane and common use. In this petition, then, we pray that God would enable us to glorify him in all things whereby he makes himself known. We must glorify him in our hearts, by high, holy, reverent thoughts of him. We must glorify him by our tongues, by always speaking of him in the most serious manner. We must glorify him in all our actions; not only by acts of solemn worship, but by the most common actions of life; for, whether we eat or drink, all should be done with a view to the glory of God.

Now, how dreadfully far from this are many who say this prayer, and who no sooner get up from their knees, than they profane and blaspheme this holy name! Think of this, you who curse and swear, or take the Lord’s name in vain. When you say, in a thoughtless manner, O my God! O God! O Christ! is this to hallow the name of God? Leave off praying, or leave off swearing: for they cannot agree together.

But let everyone that fears God, remember, that the glory of God is the first and main thing that we are to ask for, and to desire, and see, even before our own good. Now, that we and others may do this, we are taught, in the next place, to pray,

III. Your kingdom come!

Now, this does not mean the kingdom of God’s providence, which rules over all; this cannot be said to come, for it is already come, and will never cease: but it means that spiritual kingdom which Christ came to set up in the world. That kingdom of the Messiah, which the pious Jews had long expected, and which, when this prayer was given to the disciples, was said to be at hand. This kingdom of Christ did come soon after. It was set up when Christ ascended to heaven, and the Spirit descended from it. But still the prayer is as necessary as ever; for we pray that this kingdom may be established in our own hearts, and extended to all the world.

The kingdom of Christ is established on purpose to destroy the kingdom of Satan. The devil has seized a dominion over all mankind; and though he does not now possess the bodies of men, as he once did, yet he is still “now at work in the sons of disobedience,”(Ephesians 2:2) who are “captured by him to do his will;”(2 Timothy 2:26) and in some parts of the world he is still worshiped as God.

Now, in order to destroy this infernal kingdom, Jesus Christ came into the world; he overcame Satan in all his attempts to seduce him; and on the cross he spoiled principalities and powers, and conquered when he fell; he deprived Satan, of his power, and led captivity captive. Wherever he sends his gospel, he proclaims liberty; and wherever he gives his grace to any person, there Satan is dethroned: and being made willing to submit to Christ, the believer is transferred out of Satan’s kingdom of sin and darkness into the holy and happy kingdom of God’s dear Son.

Now when we say, Your kingdom come we pray that the light, power, liberty, and glory of Christ’s spiritual kingdom may be more fully experienced in our own hearts, more fully established in our own souls. For as one has observed—“In worship we pay our homage to God. In the word, we come to learn his laws. In the sacraments, we renew our oaths of allegiance. In alms-giving, we pay him tribute. In prayer, we appeal to him; and praise is our rent to the great Lord, from whom we hold our all.”

Here also we express our soul’s desire for our poor fellow-sinners. Deeply affected with the state of Heathens, Jews, Muslims and wicked Christians, we pour out our souls in holy longings for their conversion, earnestly desiring the joyful day when it will be said—“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”(Revelation 11:15)

IV. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

God, the glorious maker of the world, has a right to govern it. His will is the proper rule of his creatures’ actions; and it is obeyed by them all, except by men and devils. God has made known his will to us in his word. The law of the ten commandments shows what obedience he requires of us; but, as fallen creatures, we have made ourselves incapable of perfect obedience to it, and so of obtaining life by it. God has graciously given to us the law of faith, or the gospel of salvation by Jesus Christ; and this is his commandment, that we should “believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another.”(1 John 3:23) But the natural man refuses obedience to this also; he is either unconcerned about salvation, or dislikes the way of it; and while he remains in this state, he cannot do the will of God in any respect acceptably, for “without faith it is impossible to please him.”(Hebrews 11:6) In short, “the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God;”(Romans 8:7) the will of the flesh is directly contrary to the will of God; but it accords with the will of Satan, sinners having been “captured by him to do his will.”(2 Timothy 2:26)

How necessary then is this petition—Your will be done! And it includes, 1. A desire to know it; as the Psalmist prays, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;”(Psalm 143:10) or, as converted Saul, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”(Acts 9:6) 2. A heart to do it; a heart on which God has written his laws. It is related of a certain person, that when he was teaching his child to say this prayer, and came to this petition—“Your will be done,” the child refused to say it, and would: have it “my will be done.” This poor simple child was far more honest than many of us, who say Your will be done, and yet determine to follow our own will: but the real Christian’s desire is, “Oh that I had such a heart as this always, to fear God and to keep all his commandments!”(Deuteronomy 5:29) We pray also, 3. For strength to do the will of God: for “to will” may be present, and yet how to perform that which is good we may not find; but, knowing that the Lord works in his people both to will and to do, we hereby pray that he would “equip us with everything good that we may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ.”(Hebrews 13:21) This petition also includes holy submission to the will of his providence, however painful, and that we may learn to bear it without murmuring, knowing that it is his will, and for our good.

Now, we pray for grace to do all this, in imitation of the spirits of just men made perfect, and of the sinless angels in heaven. God’s will is done in heaven. The angels that excel in strength do his commandment: hearken to the voice of his word: they do it humbly, cheerfully, diligently, constantly; and so do glorified saints in heaven, “for there his servants shall serve him.”(Revelation 22:3) So let it be our food and drink, to do the will of our heavenly Father, and to bear Christ’s yoke, which is easy; and his burden, which is light.(Matthew 11:30)

V. Give us this day our daily bread.

This petition implies our dependence on God for food, and all the supports and comforts of life. Man, as a fallen creature, has forfeited the good things of this life, and deserves to be deprived of them all. The earth was cursed for man's sake, therefore in sorrow and hard work he eats of it; but it is through the goodness of God that he is able to work; that rain from heaven and fruitful seasons are even granted. It is “he who gives us our grain, and wine, and oil;”(Joel 2:19) and, though the poor man works hard for his daily bread, it is no less the gift of God. To him also we owe the appetite that makes our food pleasant, and the power of digestion that makes it nourishing.

Moderation in our desires is what is expressed here. We are not taught to ask for riches and honors; they are often the destructive snares of those who possess them; but we may lawfully ask for food and clothing, for “our heavenly Father knows that we need them;”(Matthew 6:32) and having these, we ought to be content.

We are not to ask for weekly bread, or monthly bread, or yearly bread; but for daily bread; for we must not boast of tomorrow, or depend on future years; but live in daily dependence on God, without anxious cares for a future time. “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble;”(Matthew 6:34) and sufficient for the day is its good; so that we are to exercise ourselves in daily prayer, and receive every meal, and every portion, as the gift of a good God, which will make it sweeter.

The Christian will also ask for bread for his soul as well as his body. Christ is to the believer’s soul what food is to the body. He is “the bread of life;”(John 6:35) and if we are born of God, we will want to feed upon him everyday in our hearts, by faith, with thanksgiving.

VI. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

This petition is joined to the last by the word and, which may teach us, that without the forgiveness of sins, the comforts of this life can do us no real good; “for what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?(Matthew 16:26)” Every man is a sinner. There is not a person who needs daily bread, that does not also need daily pardon; and yet how few are aware of it!

Sin is compared here to a debt. There is a debt of duty we owe to God; and, in case of failure, we contract a new debt to the justice of God. The debts we owe to man expose us to misery here; but the debts we owe to God expose us to eternal misery; for “the wages of sin is death.”(Romans 6:23) And let it be remembered, that we are not able to even begin to pay this debt; if ever we are delivered from going to the prison of hell, it must be by a free pardon, for so we here pray—“forgive us our debts;” or, as it is elsewhere, “forgive us our trespasses.” God will make no accommodation. We can make no amends. It is not taking care not to contract a new debt that will cancel an old one; this will not do with our neighbors, nor will it do with God. Free forgiveness alone will prevent our punishment.

But let it be carefully observed, that though a sinner is justified freely, it is only “through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”(Romans 3:24) It costs us nothing; but it cost him dearly. And it is only through faith in his blood that we can receive it. With believing and penitent hearts we must go to God by Jesus Christ, and plead for his mercy for Christ’s sake.

At the same time we are taught here what is the true disposition of a gracious soul—a forgiving attitude—“as we also have forgiven our debtors;” that is, as we forgive those who have injured us in our property, person, or name. Not that our kindness to another deserves forgiveness at the hand of God; but that, as we cannot expect pardon from God, while we refuse it to those who ask us for it; we may humbly hope, that if we are enabled by grace to forgive others, God, whose thoughts and ways are infinitely above ours, will not reject our prayer for pardoning mercy through Jesus Christ.

VII. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Those whose sins are forgiven will be afraid of sinning again; and, knowing the power of temptation, will pray to be kept from it. Now temptation is anything which puts us to the test, and proves what is in our hearts. Afflictions are God’s trials of us, for our good; but all Satan’s temptations are to lead us into evil. The person who uses this prayer aright is afraid of sin; knows the plague of his own heart; the power of his corruption; the snares of the world; and the devices of the devil; and he offers up this petition to God, that he would keep him out of the way of such trials as would be too hard for him, or grant sufficient strength to resist and overcome the devil; “the evil one;” the wicked one; the great tempter, who “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8) But this must be accompanied with watching, and avoiding all willful occasions of sin, or else these words become a mockery of God.

VIII. The conclusion of the prayer as it is found in many greek manuscripts is For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.(Matthew 6:13 NKJV) No whether it was in the original text or not the statement is certainly true. So let us hear Burder’s thoughts with this in mind.

This shows, he says, why we should pray to God; and why we may hope to be heard. The kingdom is his. God is king of all the world, and has a right to dispose of all things in it. The power is his, as well as the authority; whatever our needs are, he can meet them; whoever our enemies are, he can subdue them. He therefore can answer our prayers; and as a loving Father we hope he will. His, then, will be the glory. Whatever God does is for his own glory; and if we are disposed to give him all the glory of what he does for us, we may hope that our petitions will be granted. This kingdom, this power, this glory are forever; he will never lack the power to help; and if we are saved, we will never cease to give him praise.

The force of the whole prayer lies in the first and last words of it—Our Father, and Amen. In the first we apply to God in Christ, as reconciled to us; in the last, we set our seal to the whole, and say, Amen: so let it be; so we humbly hope, it shall be for Christ’s sake.

We close with a few words of application.

How awfully is this prayer abused! Ignorant people use it as a kind of charm; and think it enough to say the words, without considering the meaning. But beware, as you love your souls, of mocking God by thoughtless praying. Can you call him a father, while you obey the devil? Will you say “hallowed be your name,” and yet profane it daily? What do you care for his kingdom, while you belong to another? or talk of God’s will without wishing to do it? Do you not forget him when you eat and drink? Are you not careless about the forgiveness of your sins, adding daily to the dreadful debt; and perhaps living in malice and wrath? How can you pray that God will not lead you into temptation, when you run willfully into the way of it; frequenting the bars, the parties, the concerts, the fair, and the company of the worldly, the profane, and the drunken? Seriously consider that thus contradicting your prayers by your life, you cannot expect to be heard; no, God may justly say to you at last, “Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant.”(Luke 19:22) But God forbid! Think over this prayer before you use it again: and beg of God to enable you to use it with understanding and sincerity, that the rich blessings asked for in it may be yours, and God be glorified in your everlasting salvation.

Those who are “born of God,”(John 1:13) and have “the Spirit of grace and supplication,”(Zechariah 12:10) teaching them to pray, will not confine themselves at all times to these words; yet they may be used with great comfort and edification. God is your father; he is more disposed to give than you to ask; plead that dear relation. Let his glory be your first desire; the increase of his kingdom your highest wish. Let his will be done in love, by saints below as well as those above: then do not fear to depend on his providence for your daily needs. “There is forgiveness with him, that he may be feared;”(Psalm 130:4) and he that is for us is greater than he who is against us.(Romans 8:31)

Though surrounded with snares, his sheep are in his hand: and they will be kept by his power, through faith, to salvation. Then will prayer be turned into praise; and all the ransomed of the Lord will unite in full chorus, and say,—Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.