hat tempteth God" (Eccles. xviii, 23). When
beginning to pray we should present to our mind God as He is enthroned
in heaven. We should approach God in humility and reverence with
childlike confidence and love. Thus prepared for prayer we will be
pleasing to God. To give our mind this disposition is the purpose of
the preface: "Our Father, who art in heaven." Hence this preface should
be said with devotion and piety.

The seven petitions of the "Our Father" contain everything a Christian
ought and may ask for. But what may and should a Christian ask for? For
all things necessary and serviceable for the proper fulfilment of his
life work. This prayer contains petitions for everything necessary for
the attainment of the last end for which we were created, and that is,
in the first place, the glorification of God, and, in the second place,
our eternal salvation. In the first four petitions Christ teaches us
and commands us to beseech for the things that pertain to this last
end, and in the last three petitions for protection against the things
which hinder the attainment of this end.

1. The glory of God is the first and chief purpose of all creation, as
also of redemption and sanctification. It should be the occupation of
all mankind, as it is the occupation of the blessed in heaven. We
glorify God when we recognize Him as the highest good; when we love Him
above all things, with a childlike love, serve Him faithfully, worship
Him in all our thoughts, words and actions. As we are unable to do this
by our own strength we must seek the assistance of grace, which we do
in the words of the first petition: "Hallowed be Thy name." By the
words "Thy name" must be understood here, God himself, as He has
revealed Himself to us and this petition is equivalent to saying:
"Thou, O God, shalt be glorified by us and by all mankind." We ask in
the first petition that God may not be blasphemed, but rightly known,
truly loved and duly revered. We implore God in this petition to
enlighten the heathen that yet stand in the shadow of death, and all
unbelievers and heretics, that they may learn to know and adore Him;
and to grant sincere conversion to all sinners. We also ask, for
ourselves and our fellow Christians, the grace to grow in the knowledge
of God, in His love and service and in Christian perfection, so that
thereby God may ever be glorified more and more. A truly Christian life
is our highest glorification of God, hence to obtain