1. The Meaning

Here we learn in prayer to abase ourselves before God, and utterly to deny all that is in us. Kingdom, power, and glory is all his, not ours: we are no better than rebels and traitors to him: if we have any good thing, it is from him, even the grace whereby we pray. And he that in prayer will not confess this, shall no more be heard, than the insolent beggar that will not acknowledge his lack.

Secondly, in prayer we learn, that we must be persuaded of two things, and build upon them; God's power, and will: his power, in that he is able; his will, in that he is careful to perform our requests, as it was noted in the preface: the first of these is signified by kingdom and power, the second is noted in that glory is his. 2 Corinthians 1:20. For all the promises of God in him, are yes, and Amen, to the glory of God.

Again, we gather that prayer and thanksgiving must go together: for as in the six petitions we made request to God; so in these words we praise him, and thereby give him thanks. Philippians 4:6. But in all things let your requests be showed to God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. There is none but in want will be ready to pray: but when we have received, we are slack in giving of thanks: but he which will pray aright, must join them both together. And the sum of all God's praise stands in these three points. First, that he is an absolute king. Second, that he has absolute power to rule all things. Third, that having power and a kingdom, he has glory also, which appears in the holding of his kingdom, and the showing of his power in governing of it.

Whatever we ask, we must refer it to God's glory: this is the first thing which we are taught to crave, and the last we are to perform, because it is noted both in the beginning, and in the end of the prayer.

Thus much of the use of these words altogether: now let us make use of them particularly. First, whereas we say, Yours is the kingdom — magistrates and rulers must know, that all the authority and rule which they have is from the Lord, and therefore they must remember to order themselves as God's vicegerents, using their power to bring men in subjection to God's laws; and referring all their callings to his glory.

Second, where we say, Yours is the power, we are admonished, when we are to perform any work, as to do service to God, to keep ourselves in the compass of our callings, and that we have no power of ourselves: and for this cause we must ask power at God's hands, that we may be enabled to walk uprightly before him, and do our duties. Third, in saying, Yours is the glory, we learn, that if we would have a good report and praise among men, we must above all things seek God's glory, not regarding so much our own. If he give you praise among men, give him thanks: if not, be content, because all glory is his.