This is the only negative petition.
What would be _our_ deprecatory prayers? Lead us not into sorrow, loss,
poverty, disease, death?
How we fill our prayers with womanish shriekings and fears!
This petition can come only from a man whose will is resigned and fixed
on God. One thing he fears, and that is to sin.
The one thing to be desired is not outward well-being, but inward
character.
Think of our lives: what do we dread most?