(1) "And it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, that when He ceased, one of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, teach us to pray, even as John also taught His disciples. (2) And He said unto them, When we pray, say, Father, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. (3) Give us day by day our daily bread. (4) And forgive us our sins; for we ourselves also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation.
(5) "And He said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves; (6) for a friend of mine is come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him; (7) and he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I can not rise and give thee? (8) I say unto you, Tho he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will arise and give him as many as he needeth. (9) And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (10) For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (11) And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask a loaf, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he for a fish give him a serpent? (12) Or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion? (13) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask it?"
Golden Text.—"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find." Verse 9.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What habit of Jesus is specially noted in this lesson? On one such occasion what request did His disciples make? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) In answering, to whom did Jesus say we should direct our petitions? and what sentiment should accompany this address? What will always be a prominent theme in the desire of a true disciple? Verse 2. Note 2. (3) What is a daily requirement of every individual? Verse 3. Note 3. (4) What other prayer must every one needs offer daily? What is necessary to a favorable answer? What petition implies a constant danger? From what do we need daily deliverance? Verse 4. Note 4. (5) In illustrating the principle of asking of God, what figure did Jesus use? Verse 5. (6) What special need is urged? Verse 6. (7) What plausible excuse is made for not complying with the request? Verse 7. (8) What does Jesus say will overcome this refusal? Verse 8. (9) How does He then impress the lesson He is teaching? Verse 9. (10) What further positive assurance is given? Verse 10. (11) What still closer relationship is brought in by way of illustration? What pointed questions are asked? Verse 11. (12) What further question is propounded? Verse 12. (13) What is the conclusion drawn from this illustration? Verse 13. Notes 5 and 6. (14) What excuse, then, can any one render in the judgment for not having walked in the light of truth? John 14:15-26.
NOTES.
1. The example of frequent and earnest prayer always has its influence upon those who are habitually in contact with it. This influence may not always be manifest, but it sometimes actuates a motive or impels a restraint when the party so influenced is really unconscious of the cause. The prayers of Jesus must have greatly influenced the disciples; they could not help but associate His exemplary character, as also the power that accompanied His work, with His power of prayer. Hence their desire to learn how to profit by such exercise themselves. This is not to suppose that they were unacquainted with the form of prayer, but they were conscious of a lack of power in prayer such as was manifested in the Master. The reference to John the Baptist is a key to the secret of His great power in the Word, and His faith in communion with God, which He also desired His disciples to enjoy. It is a lesson that all disciples, both old and young, should learn and be "apt to teach."
2. "Father."—We are to ask of the Father in heaven, "who giveth to all men liberally," but we must ask in the name of the Son (John 15:16), as we have no standing at the throne of grace excepting through His merit. An ascription of praise, an acknowledgment of His holiness, is always due. The manner should always imply such a sentiment, if the words do not express it. The coming kingdom can not fail to be a leading object of solicitation in every heart that fully understands the Gospel, and that knows that the consummation of hope can not be realized until the coming and kingdom of our Lord. Matt. 25:31-34. And with this desire for the advent of Christ will be the desire for power to do His will even in this world. 1 John 3:22-24.
3. "Day by day."—Trusting God implicitly is trusting Him day by day for everything needful, step by step throughout the journey of life. "Having food and covering we shall be there with content." 1 Tim. 6:8. This is a daily need of every individual, but the child of God will also feel the need of spiritual food. See Matt. 4:4.
4. Asking the forgiveness of sin obligates us to forgive those who trespass against us. In thus asking we virtually assume that we have done so; and, unless this is so, in deed and in truth, the petition will be in vain. Matt. 6:14, 15. The petition, "Bring us not into temptation," is an acknowledgment that of ourselves we are unable to resist temptation. "Deliver us from evil" is a request for a defense of which we ever stand in need; for our "adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8.
5. The illustrations set forth in this lesson appeal to such petitions as would be hardest for any human being to resist, both from policy and sentiment; yet, even under such circumstances, no one's willingness to grant a request can compare with the heavenly Father's yearning desire to give of His own good Spirit to them that ask for it in faith.
6. This prayer was not designed for a ritual service, to be repeated in parrot style, but as a lesson in the principles of prayer. It indicates that which we most need, and shows an example of simple, direct petition, without a superabundance of words or meaningless phrases. When one is in great need, and realizes his condition, he does not wait for superfluous introduction. He comes to the point with words that express the heart's desire, tho they be not rhetorical or euphoneous. For instance, see the prayer of the disciples in the storm (Matt. 8:25); of Peter, when sinking in the water (ch. 14:25); of the publican in the temple (Luke 18:10), and of the thief on the cross (ch. 23:42).
