Prayer
Prayer for others is a main part of Christian duty. "Our Father" seeks union with brethren. It cuts at the root of all human inequality; it levels all distinctions which sever the high from the low, rich from the poor, educated from uneducated, wise from simple. It excludes all envy and self will; all that hinders and mars brotherly love. We may rightly regard this prayer (Matt. 6:9-13) as an intercession for self, for brethren, for those who do not have God as their Father. ("Thy will be done on earth"). It requests God's grace and help; the relief of bodily necessities; forgiveness, restoration and deliverance from evil.
In the prayer of faith we are called upon to make His purposes our own and to seek His glory and the extension of His kingdom before we ask for the supply of our own wants. When this prayer was uttered the kingdom had not been set up and was not until pentecost. (Acts 2). But "Thy will be done on earth" would be a request for the furtherance of His kingdom when it did come.
If we pray as we ought, there is no request that is not included in this prayer and therefore no request for temporal blessings that is not subordinate to the spiritual purpose of life.
This prayer is an example of the essential simplicity of true religion. Since our needs are few, our prayers should be simple. For the real answer to our prayers is God Himself; all that God gives, all that God is; life and light, truth and love.
The requests of this prayer constitutes the true life of man and for all else only in so far as it ministers to that life. It is the supplication of one whose eye is single, who has overcome inward unrest by reconciliation to God, all division of mine and anxious care. Of one who commits himself to Him that is able to do for His children exceeding abundantly, above all that they ask or think and who makes all things work together for good to them that love Him. (Eph. 3:20; Rom. 8:28).
Each clause in the prayer suggests some aspect to God's character; some different relationship in which he stands with his children. It proclaims the name of God as the heavenly Father who through the gospel of Jesus Christ has begotten children and laid claim upon them; as the King and Ruler of the universe who will bring all things to their appointed goal; as the Lawgiver and Judge whose will is the eternal law of right; as the Giver of all blessings who sustains our being and supplies our wants; as the One who can release us from the quilt of our sins; as the Leader who, through His word, guides our pilgrimage on the earth; as the Lord who is able to deliver us from the evil one and help us overcome all the hindrances to the accomplishment of His purpose. In brief, it embraces all the truths by which we ought to live.