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The learned Mr. Mead upon this place apprehends, that it was the custom of the Jewish doctors to deliver some certain form of prayer to their disciples to use, at least that John the Baptist had done so to his disciples; thereupon our Saviour's disciples besought them, that he also would give them in like manner some form of his own composing, that they might pray with their master's spirit, as John's disciples did with his. Accordingly our Saviour gives them here a form of his own, and commands them when they pray to use it. Indeed he had given them this prayer about a year and a half before, in his Sermon upon the Mount. Mat_6:9
After this manner pray ye: where it is probable that the disciples looked upon it only as a pattern of prayer, and not as a form; for had they thought that Christ hd given them a form of prayer before, they had not asked him for one now; therefore says Christ, When ye pray, say. Certainly this gives us to understand that our Saviour intended and commanded it for a set form of prayer unto his church.
Learn hence, that the Lord's prayer is both a pattern and platform, according to which all our prayers ought to be framed; and also an exact form of prayer, which ought to be used by us in our addresses to the throne of grace: After this manner pray ye, says St. Matthew; When ye pray, say, says St. Luke.