A MODE OF SAYING THE LORD’S PRAYER, WITH INTERVALS OF MEDITATION, FOR STIRRING UP HOLY AFFECTIONS.
From F. Christopher Mayer.
Our Father.
Lord of heaven and earth, who, with thy only -begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, art of infinite majesty, power, wisdom, and goodness, and art, therefore, to be infinitely honoured and loved; fountain of all good, from whom are to be hoped for with undoubting confidence all the blessings of nature, grace, and glory.
I. Hallowed he thy name.
Mayest thou be sanctified, loved, and glorified by me, and by all men, in all thy perfections of power, wisdom, goodness, mercy, and justice: in all thy judgments and statutes, as they relate to me, to all men, and to all things, in all the works of nature, grace, and glory; in all that thou permittest, in all thy blessings in every possible way, for thy own sake, without any return, infinitely above all things, now, always, and for ever and ever. Oh, that thou hadst always been thus glorified by me and by all men, and mightst ever in future be thus glorified and sanctified by us.
2. Thy kingdom come.
Oh, that thou mayest fully reign in me and in all men, by grace now, and by glory hereafter. Oh, that my soul may seek first the kingdom of God, and may mind and desire the things which are above, not those which are upon the earth. Oh, that, weary of its present exile, where sin reigns, where ambition, pride, &c., predominate, it may aspire incessantly to that blessed life, and the possession of an eternal kingdom. Oh, that it always had, and from this moment may perfectly do this, that so at last, with thee and with all the saints, I may reign for ever and ever!
3. Thy will he done.
May thy most holy will l>e done by me, and by all pilgrims upon earth, in a perfect performance of thy precepts, thy counsels, and thy whole will, simply for thy own sake, as exactly, readily, and perseveringly, every day and moment of our life, as it is done by the blessed who possess eternity in heaven, with the insatiable desire of pleasing thee according to thy will. Oh, that it had been ever, and may hereafter be, done by us all, as thou wouldst have it done, with all possible perfection, with understanding, affection, and effect.
