Episode 63: The Fifth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer

The Fifth Petition

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

What does this mean? We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. We are neither worthy of the things for which we pray, nor have we deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, for we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.

Goal: Students will learn that the forgiveness of sins is the greatest treasure they can receive and that they receive it purely by grace for the sake of Christ’s suffering and death. They will also learn that we forgive, because God forgives us. When we forgive we confess that God forgives us.

Fifth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer from Luther’s Large Catechism

1. Do you deserve what you pray for?
   
   No, I am neither worthy of the things for which I pray, nor have I deserved them.
   “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8
   “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
   “And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac…I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant,” Genesis 32:9-10
   
   
2. What does it mean to “give them all to us by grace“?
   
   To get them all by grace means that God gives all good things to us freely as a gift, not because we have deserved them, but for the sake of his love for us.
   “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8
   “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.” Psalm 51:1
   “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” Romans 11:6
   
   
3. Why is the forgiveness of sins important for the one who prays?
   
   Without the forgiveness of sins no one would be able to pray to God and would have no
   faith that God would answer prayers.
   “O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.” Psalm 6:1-2
   “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22
   “If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” Psalm 130:3-5
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Praying for forgiveness of sins draws us away from our own worthiness and works and points our attention at whom?
   
   Jesus Christ, who alone forgives sins.
   “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
   “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” Ephesians 1:3, 7
   
   
5. Why is the forgiveness of sins more important than daily bread?
   
   Where there is forgiveness of sins there is also life and salvation (Look at your Small Catechism Part Six on the Sacrament of the Altar, Question: “What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?” Page 29).
   
   
6. Does God forgive you, because you forgive others?
   
   No, God forgives us by grace for the sake of Jesus Christ.
   “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
   
   
7. Then why does Jesus say, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15
   God does not forgive, because we’ve earned it by forgiving others. God forgives us by grace for Christ’s sake. When we forgive we confess that God forgives us.
   “Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven- for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Luke 7:47
   
   
8. Review Matthew 18:21-35
9. Review penitential Psalms: 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143

Forgive our sins, Lord, we implore,

That they may trouble us nomore;

We, too, will gladly those forgive

Who hurt us by the way they live.

Help us in our community

To serve each other willingly. (LSB 766:6; Our Father, Who from Heaven Above, Martin Luther)