spirit and in truth, according to what the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has taught us in the Gospel: God ¹ is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.' The essence of a true Christian's adoration is the spiritual communion and fellowship which he enjoys with his truest Friend, whom through faith in Christ he has learnt to recognize as his loving heavenly Father. Hence in his prayers he expresses the love and devotion towards God which he has in his heart. For the same reason he lays before his heavenly Father in Christ Jesus all the sorrows of his heart, all the cares and needs of his spirit, asking from Him whatever he requires, and thanking God for every favour and blessing which He bestows upon him, and above all for the love and mercy which God has shown him through the Lord Jesus Christ. All this the true Christian is free to do in whatever language he understands, and in whatever words his heart suggests and the Holy Spirit teaches his tongue to utter. Therefore his prayer and praise and worship are real, heartfelt, spiritual, not bound by forms and ceremonies and in words which have been prescribed for him to utter. When Christ's disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, ² therefore, He did not enjoin forms and ceremonies or command them to utter certain fixed words, but instead of all this He gave them as a model for their devotions one

short, simple, most beautiful prayer, which itself would teach them in what attitude of mind and spirit to approach God, and how to thank and worship Him. This we are told in the Gospel in the following passage: 'And ¹ when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall recompense thee. And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven so on earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And bring us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men