How blessed it is when a soul orders its prayer aright, putting first the kingdom and the honor of the great King, and then descending to the needful petitions for daily bread and forgiveness. This is the very pattern our Lord gave, and it reveals a heart that has been taught of God. You have begun where all true prayer must begin, with the Father's glory and the coming of His reign. That is no small thing; it is the mark of a child who has learned the first lessons in the school of Christ. For what is faith but the eye that sees God's goodness even here, in this valley of tears, and the hand that knocks at mercy's door until the blessing comes? You have believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, and that faith is never put to shame.
Consider the daily bread for which you ask. He who gave you life has pledged Himself to sustain it, and He daily loadeth us with benefits, not merely wishing us well, but doing us good in very deed. Has He not already given you the Bread of Life? Then shall He deny the crumbs that feed the body? He that spared not His own Son will surely with Him freely give us all things. Yet mark this: as the body needs its daily portion, so the soul must feed upon the living Word or it will faint. "I am that bread of life," saith Christ; feast on Him by faith, and your peace shall be great, for the law of His mouth is sweeter than honey and the keeping of it brings a great reward.
As for the forgiving of debts, here is the touchstone of a gracious heart. He who has tasted the pardon of his own ten thousand talents will not take his brother by the throat for a hundred pence. And when we plead, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil," we confess our own weakness and lay hold on His almighty arm. Be not surprised if trials come thick upon you, even as they did upon Jacob when he fled from Laban only to meet Esau. But like Jacob, having done what wisdom dictates, betake yourself to prayer. Importunate faith sends its Gehazi again and again to look toward the sea, and at last there ariseth a cloud like a man's hand. Yes, even now there is a sound of abundance of rain! The ears of faith catch the footfalls of coming mercy.
Do not despise the day of small things. If your faith seems but little, yet if it drives you to cry, "Lord, save me!" it is true faith for all that, and the hand that upheld Peter on the wave will not let you sink. The Holy Spirit is the Author of faith, whether it be tiny as a grain of mustard seed or mighty enough to remove mountains. Only keep your teachable spirit; sit at the Master's feet and let Him instruct you from His Word. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.
Go on, then, seeking first the kingdom. His kingdom comes in power when His will is done in you as it is in heaven. The peace that passeth understanding shall garrison your heart, and nothing shall offend you, for you love His law. Great peace have they that love it, and they shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Yea, they shall see it in the very furnace, and the Son of God walking with them in the fire. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
"Pray then after this manner:
‘Our Father who is in Heaven,
Your Name be Honored!
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