A. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.1*
1 Matt. 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4 *Earlier and better manuscripts of Matt. 6 omit the words, “For thine is . . . Amen.”
A. At the very beginning of our prayer Christ wants to kindle in us what is basic to our prayer- the childlike awe and trust that God through Christ has become our Father. Our fathers do not refuse us the things of this life; God our Father will even less refuse to give us what we ask in faith.1
1 Matt. 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13
A. These words teach us not to think of God”s heavenly majesty as something earthly,1 and to expect everything for body and soul from his almighty power.2
A. By forbidding murder God teaches us that he hates the root of murder: envy, hatred, anger, vindictiveness.1 In God”s sight all such are murder.2
A. No. By condemning envy, hatred, and anger God tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves,1 to be patient, peace-loving, gentle, merciful, and friendly to him,2 to protect him from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.3
1 Matt. 7:12; 22:39; Rom. 12:10
2 Matt. 5:3-12; Luke 6:36; Rom. 12:10, 18; Gal. 6:1-2; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; 1 Pet. 3:8
3 Ex. 23:4-5; Matt. 5:44-45; Rom. 12:20-21 (Prov. 25:21-22)
A. God condemns all unchastity.1 We should therefore thoroughly detest it2 and, married or single, live decent and chaste lives.3
A. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, body and soul, and God wants both to be kept clean and holy. That is why he forbids everything which incites unchastity,1 whether it be actions, looks, talk, thoughts, or desires.2 1 1 Cor. 15:33; Eph. 5:18
2 Matt. 5:27-29; 1 Cor. 6:18-20; Eph. 5:3-4
A. He forbids not only outright theft and robbery, punishable by law.1 But in God”s sight theft also includes cheating and swindling our neighbor by schemes made to appear legitimate,2 such as: inaccurate measurements of weight, size, or volume; fraudulent merchandising; counterfeit money; excessive interest; or any other means forbidden by God.3 In addition he forbids all greed4 and pointless squandering of his gifts.5
1 Ex. 22:1; 1 Cor. 5:9-10; 6:9-10
2 Mic. 6:9-11; Luke 3:14; James 5:1-6
3 Deut. 25:13-16; Ps. 15:5; Prov. 11:1; 12:22; Ezek. 45:9-12; Luke 6:35
5 Prov. 21:20; 23:20-21; Luke 16:10-13
A. That I do whatever I can for my neighbor”s good, that I treat him as I would like others to treat me, and that I work faithfully so that I may share with those in need.1
1 Isa. 58:5-10; Matt. 7:12; Gal. 6:9-10; Eph. 4:28
A. God”s will is that I never give false testimony against anyone, twist no one”s words, not gossip or slander, nor join in condemning anyone without a hearing or without a just cause.1 Rather, in court and everywhere else, I should avoid lying and deceit of every kind; these are devices the devil himself uses, and they would call down on me God”s intense anger.2 I should love the truth, speak it candidly, and openly acknowledge it.3 And I should do what I can to guard and advance my neighbor”s good name.4