The Lord's Prayer an Intercession for Others as Well as for Ourselves
Matthew 6:9
After this manner therefore pray you: Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name.


It was a law among the Romans that no one should approach the Emperor's tent at night, under penalty of death. One night, however, a soldier was found near the royal tent, holding in his hand a petition which he meant to present to his master and thereupon he was sentenced to death. But the Emperor, hearing voices, and asking what was amiss, and hearing that a soldier had intruded within the forbidden bounds to present a petition, and that they were about to deal with him according to the law, said — "If the petition be for himself, let him die; but if for another, spare his life." It was found that it was for two of his fellow-soldiers that he had come to intercede, who had been taken asleep while they were posted on the watch. The Emperor, well pleased, commanded that he should escape death, and that they also should escape punishment.



Parallel Verses
KJV: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

WEB: Pray like this: 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.




The Lord's Prayer (Part 1)
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