Specific Principles

Posted By on Sunday, April 08, 2018

4. Suggest the significance of the fact that all personal pronouns in this prayer are in the plural, none in the singular:
(1) There is absolutely no room in true prayer for selfishness by ignoring the needs of others and attending only to our own
(2) Our needs and problems are common to all men in one form or another
(3) The bond of love unites the family of God in mutual interest “that the members should have the same care one for another,” I Cor. 12:25

B. SPECIFIC PRINCIPLES
1. The Lord’s Prayer begins with what scene, 6:9? A domestic scene; namely, the Father, the family, and the home. Its keynote is the fatherhood of God. The place of his residence is heaven

2. Point out the essential elements of prayer contained in this domestic scene, 6:9, as seen in the following statements:
(1) “Our Father” – Recognition of the fatherhood of God. Having been made children by birth, John 1:12-13, and adoption, Eph. 1:5, Christ places our new relationship to
God at the very entrance of our approach to the heavenly Father
(2) “Our” – Appropriation of the fatherhood of God. We, “who sometimes were far off” and have been “made nigh by the blood of Christ,” Eph. 2:13, now make use of our rightful claims as children and thereby give the Father opportunity to demonstrate his benevolent care
(3) Hallowed be thy name” – Worshipful petition. After the initial approach to God, the actual prayer begins with worshipful petition for the sanctity of the name of God, suggesting that worship comes before petition and that prayer is rendered mose effective in an atmosphere of praise. Therefore “with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Phil. 4:6