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The Lord's Prayer

In an old church in Scotland there is the following remarkable annotation on the Lord's Prayer.

First we have the highest and most intimate of all relationships, that of the Son to His Father - 'Our Father Who art in Heaven.'

Next, we descend to the Worshipper in the Temple - 'Hallowed be thy name.'

Coming lower still we get to the Citizen in the State - 'Thy Kingdom Come.'

Lower still, the Servant and his master - 'Thy will be done.'

Again descending, the Beggar in the street - 'Give us this day our daily bread.'

Continuing the descent, we come to the Debtor and his Creditor - 'Forgive us our debts.'

Deepest and lowest of all, the Captive in Chains - 'Deliver us from evil.'

A remarkable descent!

In this comprehensive prayer every chord in the gamut of human feeling is struck, and from every relationship in which we stand to God and man, ascends to heaven a sharp short cry. Every relationship is recognised; the Son, the Worshipper, the Citizen, the Workman, the Beggar, the Bankrupt, and the Captive in Chains.

Every Sphere of life and action is also taken in - the Home, the Church, the State, the Workshop and every need is met - bread for the body, and forgiveness and sanctification for the soul. The prayer is like a ladder let down from heaven to the very lowest depth of sin, and its bottom rung is within reach of the vilest - even of the most abandoned wretch that ever sinned.