[Footnote 6: Observe how the name "Father," by which we are here taught
to address God, corresponds with the duty "to fear, love, and trust in
Him above all things" as enjoined by the First Commandment.]

We are taught to say _our_ and not _my_ Father, because the Lord's
Prayer was given to believers to use in their common worship as well as
in their private devotions; and because we should pray not only for
ourselves but for our fellow-believers and for all men.

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.