Introduction

The Lord's Prayer is incomparably the holiest and the most excellent of prayers, because Christ Himself is its Author. It comprises every right disposition of the Christian, both towards God and towards his neighbor; every thing which he requires, either for his bodily or his spiritual needs; and especially the assured means of obtaining the pardon of his sins. It is open to the unlearned and the simple; yet it has at the same time a sublimity to which the greatest genius cannot attain, a profoundness which all study can never exhaust. It is suited to all ages, all times, and all conditions; to sinners who wish to return to God, to penitents, to the pure and the innocent, to the righteous and the most perfect. It is adapted to enkindle coldness; to sustain and increase fervor; to inspire the timid with confidence and love, and those who are mercenary and interested with views free from all self-love; and to awaken in great souls the most exalted sentiments. The intention of Christ, signified in this prayer, is, that every Christian should offer it every day, and should begin the day with it. There are few, perhaps, who fail in doing this; but what benefit do they derive from the practice? From the earliest time, and in all liturgies, the prayer has formed a part of the office of Holy Communion; and the Church has placed it at the head of every other sacred office. Christ has unquestionably comprised in this divine prayer, so short and simple, all the points necessary to the sanctification of the Christian. But, that it may produce this effect, it is not sufficient merely to recite it with the mouth, however attentively. It is essential that we comprehend its meaning, and cherish in our hearts the sentiments it expresses. And even this is not enough: we must also put it in practice; and our thoughts, words, and actions must be conformed to it. Otherwise, instead of sanctifying us, it will serve to our condemnation, when at the last day, Christ shall ask us if we have lived in accordance with the prayer that he prescribed.

For how many years have we recited it every day, and how many times a day? Have we ever applied ourselves to meditating upon it, and to understanding it better? Have we deeply penetrated the sentiments it contains? This point is essential; for God pays no attention to that which merely flows out of the mouth, and springs not from the heart. In short, are we living in such a manner that it may be said of us, our life is a perfect and habitual practice of the Lord's Prayer? This is what few Christians make any reflection upon. It would seem that their whole duty consists only in pronouncing the prayer as a formula which they learned in childhood, and they do not dream that it is for their continued help in the course of life. Though there are many expositions of it in all languages, I purpose to add another, avoiding equally the making it too long or too short. I shall endeavor so to write this little treatise, that every community of Christians may accommodate itself to it. To adapt it to the interior state and to the personal need of each, would require as many particular expositions as there are different classes of Christians. But this is the work of the Holy Spirit, to whom alone it belongs to proportion light and affection to the interior character of the faithful. Let us therefore implore the grace He is so ready to grant; and let me pray you to read this little book with the design of profiting by it.

- from The Christian Sanctified by the Lord's Prayer, by Father Jean Nicolas Grou