Hence,  too,  we  learn —

2.  That  life  is  most  holy  in  w^hich  there  is  least  of  petition
and  desire,  and  most  of  waiting  upon  God :  that  in  which
petition  most  often  passes  into  thanksgiving.  In  the  prayer
taught  by  Christ  there  is  only  one  petition  for  personal  good,
and  that  a  singularly  simple  and  modest  one,  "  Give  us  this
day  our  daily  bread,"  and  even  that  expresses  dependence
far  rather  than  anxiety  or  desire.
From  this  we  understand  the  spirit  of  that  retirement  for

28


650  Prayer.
