Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER VI.
abundance and choice of fine thoughts, studied and
vehement motions, and the order and politeness of
the expressions, are things which co-mpose a mere
human harangue, not an humble and Christian
prayer. Our trust and confidence ought to proceed
from that which God is able to do in us, not from
that which we can say to God.
" 8. Be not ye therefore like unto them : for
your Father knoweth what things ye have need of
before ye ask him."
Prayer is not designed to inform God, but to
give man a sight of his misery, to humble his heart,
to excite his desire, to inflame his faith, to animate
his hope, to raise his soul towards heaven, and to
put him in mind that there is his Father, his country,
his inheritance, &c. He is a Father to whom we
pray ; let us go to him with confidence : he knows
our wants; let us remove far from us all anxious
disquiet and concern.
•' 9. After this manner therefore pray ye :"
The prayer which Jesus Christ gives us here is
the pattern of all Christian prayer, and an abridg-
ment of the gospel. What satisfaction is it to
learn, from God himself, with what words, and in
what manner, he would have us pray to him, so as
not to pray in vain ! A king, who himself draws
up the petition which he allows to be presented to
himself, has surely a very great desire to grant the
request. We do not sufficiently conceive the value
of this prayer, the respect and attention which it
requires, the preference to be given to it, its fulness
and perfection, the frequent use we should make of
it, and the spirit which we should bring along with
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