WHO ART IN HEAVEN. An earthly father is not always able to do what his children ask, even if he desires to do so. But the Father to whom we here pray is our Heavenly Father, and is abundantly able to answer all our prayers, [Eph. 3:20+] He not only loves us with an everlasting love, but is almighty, omniscient, and all-wise. He is able to do all things which He wills to do, and will answer all our prayers in the very way that is best for us. QUESTIONS.--1. Why is the Lord's Prayer so called? 2. What does it teach us? 3. What does it contain? 4. What can you say about the seven petitions? 5. What does the introduction show? 6. Why do we say Our _Father_? 7. How should this encourage us to call upon Him? 8. Why do we say _Our_ Father? 9. What is to be said about our heavenly Father in comparison with earthly fathers? * * * * * SCRIPTURE VERSES.--Gal. 3:26. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Matt. 7:11. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Rom. 8:15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Eph. 3:20. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. READING.--Christ teaches His Disciples to pray, Luke 11:1-4. CHAPTER XXV. THE FIRST PETITION. Hallowed be Thy name. _What is meant by this Petition?_ The name of God is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition that it may be hallowed also by us. _How is this effected?_ When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, lead holy lives in accordance with it; to this may our blessed Father in heaven help us. But whoever teaches and lives otherwise than as God's Word prescribes, profanes the name of God among us; from this preserve us, heavenly Father. * * * * * In this Petition we pray for grace to hallow God's name[7] by the pure teaching of His Word and by childlike obedience to it. [Footnote 7: There is a parallel between this Petition and the Second Commandment. We here pray for grace to avoid what the Second Commandment forbids, and to do what it commands.] THE NAME OF GOD means not only the names by which we address Him, but all by which He is known to us. Compare the Second Commandment. IS INDEED HOLY IN ITSELF. [Ps. 99:3] God's name is holy, because He is holy. We cannot increase or diminish God's holiness by anything that we do. This petition does not imply, therefore, that we are to _make_ God's name holy.