"When ye pray, say, Our Father," . . . etc. --- Luke 9:2.
"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss." --- James 4:3.
"The Lord of hosts is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working." --- Isaiah 28:20.
Many say the Lord's prayer who do not pray it; they (like Austin before his conversion, when he prayed for chastity) are afraid lest God should hear them: they do not care that God should say Amen, or so be it, though they themselves will say so.
They say, "Our Father;" but if he be their Father, where is his honour? They say "Which art in heaven;" but did they believe it, how durst they sin as they do upon earth? They say, "Hallowed be thy name;" yet take God's name in vain.
They say "Thy kingdom come;" yet oppose the coming of his kingdom. They say, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven;" yet they will not stand on their words, for this is the will of God, their sanctification; but they want none of that.
They say, "Give us this day our daily bread;" yet mind not feeding their souls with "the bread (Christ Jesus) which came down from heaven." They say, "Forgive us as we forgive others;" but, alas! if God should take them at their word, how undone were they whose hearts burn with malice and revenge!
They say, "Lead us not into temptation;" yet run into it, and tempt Satan himself to tempt them. They say, "Deliver us from evil;" and yet deliver themselves to evil, and give up themselves to "fulfil the lust of the flesh," etc.
Yea, it hath been observed, that they sin most against this prayer, who stickle most for the saying of it.
Reader, how often hast thou been guilty of such vain petitions and repetitions! Wonder not, if thou prayest in such a manner as this, that thou receivest nothing. Labour to get a deep sense of the majesty of God, and his mercy, upon thy mind, that thy prayers may be fervent and earnest; and God will bless thee.
Assist and teach me how to pray,
Incline my nature to obey;
What thou abhorrest let me flee,
And only love what pleases thee.