February 24

Lord, teach us to pray! — LUKE xi. 1.

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. — MATT. vi. 9.

WHO as Jesus can teach us to pray? Only the Son of God knoweth the Father, and only the Son of man — the man Christ Jesus — knoweth the depths of the human heart. Christ is light. He is love also, and as he alone knows our need, so he only knows the fulness of blessing and glory to which divine love has chosen us in him.

The invocation is the countenance of the prayer, in which its very soul and heart shine forth! Jesus reveals, gives us the Father. He is the only begotten; but he became man and died for us, and by his resurrection he became the first begotten, the first born among many brethren. The Holy Ghost, who brought you to Jesus, cries in you, Abba Father! Look thou to Jesus, and then in him say, Father. It is the word of faith; and faith cannot be without love, and therefore you say, Our Father. The filial spirit is the brotherly spirit; and hope beholds heaven, for there is our treasury, our future inheritance.

Our first petition, fundamental and comprehensive, is, Hallowed be thy name. To know God is eternal life. Every name of God by which he revealed himself to Israel is precious. Every name is substance; but his perfect name is Jesus. May his name be a strong refuge of safety to us, an all-sufficient consolation and joy, a bright light and perfect standard, a victorious weapon against temptations and worldliness, summary and seal of all the blessings of the new covenant!

Adolph Saphir.

"Abba, Father," Lord, we call thee,

Hallow'd name from day to day.

"T is thy children's right to know thee;

None but children "Abba" say.

ROBERT HAWKER.