From "The Church's Year" by Fr Goffine
SHORT EXPLANATION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER
Of what does the Lord's Prayer consist?
It consists of an address, as an introduction to the prayer, and of seven petitions which contain all that we should ask for the honor of God, and for our own salvation. The address is thus: Our Father who art in heaven:
What does the word “Our" signify?
In the communion of saints we should pray for and with all the children of God; we should be humble and preserve brotherly love towards all men.
Who is it that is here called our “Father"?
Our Father is God who has made us His children and heirs of His kingdom through His Son.
Why do we say "Who art in heaven", since God is everywhere?
To remind us that our true home is heaven, for which we, should ardently long, because our Father is there, and there He has prepared our inheritance.
For what do we ask to the first petition: "Hallowed be Thy name?"
That we and all men may truly know, love, and serve God.
For what do we pray to the second petition: "Thy kingdom come?"
That the Church of God; the kingdom of Christ, may extend over the whole earth, and the kingdom of sin and the devil be destroyed; that Christ may reign in our hearts and in the hearts of all; and that God will deign to receive us into the kingdom of heaven when our earthly pilgrimage is ended.
For what do we ask to the third petition: "Thy will be done on earth as it is to heaven ?"
We beg that God would enable us, by His grace, to do His will in all things, as the blessed do it in heaven. In these three petitions we seek, as taught by Christ, first the kingdom of God, that all the rest may be added unto us. (Luke XII. 31.)
For what do we ask in the fourth petition: "Give us this day our dally bread?"
We beg for all necessaries for body and soul
Why does it say, "this day?"
The words "this day" signify that we should not be over anxious for the future, but place all our confidence in God who will provide the necessaries of life.
What do we ask for in the fifth petition: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us?"
We beg that God will forgive us our sins, as we forgive others their offenses against us. Those who make this petition, and still bear enmity towards their neighbor, lie in the face of God, and will not receive forgiveness. (Mark XI. 25, 26.)
What is risked for in the sixth petition: Lead us not into temptation?"
We ask God to avert all temptations or at least not to abandon us when we are tempted. We cannot, indeed be entirely free from them in this world, they are even necessary and useful for our salvation: for without temptation there is no combat, without combat no victory and without victory no crown.
What do we ask for in the seventh petition: Deliver us from evil?"
We beg that God would free us from all evil of soul and body.
SHORT EXPLANATION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER
Of what does the Lord's Prayer consist?
It consists of an address, as an introduction to the prayer, and of seven petitions which contain all that we should ask for the honor of God, and for our own salvation. The address is thus: Our Father who art in heaven:
What does the word “Our" signify?
In the communion of saints we should pray for and with all the children of God; we should be humble and preserve brotherly love towards all men.
Who is it that is here called our “Father"?
Our Father is God who has made us His children and heirs of His kingdom through His Son.
Why do we say "Who art in heaven", since God is everywhere?
To remind us that our true home is heaven, for which we, should ardently long, because our Father is there, and there He has prepared our inheritance.
For what do we ask to the first petition: "Hallowed be Thy name?"
That we and all men may truly know, love, and serve God.
For what do we pray to the second petition: "Thy kingdom come?"
That the Church of God; the kingdom of Christ, may extend over the whole earth, and the kingdom of sin and the devil be destroyed; that Christ may reign in our hearts and in the hearts of all; and that God will deign to receive us into the kingdom of heaven when our earthly pilgrimage is ended.
For what do we ask to the third petition: "Thy will be done on earth as it is to heaven ?"
We beg that God would enable us, by His grace, to do His will in all things, as the blessed do it in heaven. In these three petitions we seek, as taught by Christ, first the kingdom of God, that all the rest may be added unto us. (Luke XII. 31.)
For what do we ask in the fourth petition: "Give us this day our dally bread?"
We beg for all necessaries for body and soul
Why does it say, "this day?"
The words "this day" signify that we should not be over anxious for the future, but place all our confidence in God who will provide the necessaries of life.
What do we ask for in the fifth petition: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us?"
We beg that God will forgive us our sins, as we forgive others their offenses against us. Those who make this petition, and still bear enmity towards their neighbor, lie in the face of God, and will not receive forgiveness. (Mark XI. 25, 26.)
What is risked for in the sixth petition: Lead us not into temptation?"
We ask God to avert all temptations or at least not to abandon us when we are tempted. We cannot, indeed be entirely free from them in this world, they are even necessary and useful for our salvation: for without temptation there is no combat, without combat no victory and without victory no crown.
What do we ask for in the seventh petition: Deliver us from evil?"
We beg that God would free us from all evil of soul and body.
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