The Lord's Prayer.
The Fifth Petition.
Which is the Fifth Petition?
_Our Father who art in heaven, 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 upon
our sins, nor on their account deny our prayer; for we are worthy of
none of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them; but
that He would grant them all to us by grace; for use daily sin much and
indeed deserve nothing but punishment. So will we also heartily forgive
and readily do good to those who sin against us._
1. _"And forgive us our trespasses,"_ thus the Lord teaches us to pray
in the Fifth Petition. That means, as our Catechism explains these
words: _"We pray in this petition that our Father would not look upon
our sins."_ A child that has disobeyed his father approaches him
sorrowfully, asks his forgiveness, and promises to be more obedient in
future. We, the children of God, do the very same thing. Every day we
come to our heavenly Father with a contrite heart and ask His
_forgiveness._ Daily we confess that we have sinned again. We are deeply
sorry that again we have been disobedient to His good will, that we have
deserved His punishment. But we also know that God is _our gracious,
loving Father,_ always willing to forgive us our many sins. We know that
Christ has paid the _ransom for our transgressions_ and earned God's
forgiveness for us. In our Savior's name, trusting in Him, we come to
God every day and pray with deep shame, but also with firm confidence:
My dear Father in heaven, I, a poor sinner, come to Thee and humbly
confess that again I have trespassed and sinned against Thee. Do not
look upon my sins, do not punish me as I have deserved, but regard Thy
Son's righteousness and for His sake forgive me all my sins. We pray as
did the prodigal son: _"Father, I have sinned against heaven and in Thy
sight, and I am no more worthy to be called Thy son."_ Luke 15,21.
However, accept me again for Christ's sake.
2. We have a _special reason_ for asking God's forgiveness in our
prayers. We pray to God for many blessings, for many precious gifts,
both heavenly and earthly. But we are sinners; _"we are worthy of none
of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them."_ If God
would look upon our unworthiness and sin, how could He grant us our
petitions? _"For we daily sin much and deserve nothing but punishment."_
As long as our sins separate us from God, we are certain that God will
not hear us. Our prayers would indeed be in vain. Therefore we pray to
our Father that He would not look upon our sins, _"nor on their account
deny our prayer,"_ as we have so well deserved. We pray that He would
grant us His forgiveness and give us all His rich blessings _by grace,
for Christ's sake._ In Christ's name we come to our Father and
confidently pray with the _publican_ in the Temple: _"God be merciful to
me, a sinner."_ Luke 18,13.
3. Our Lord adds something to this petition. He says: _"As we forgive
those who trespass against us."_ These words contain a _promise_ on our
part. Because God so graciously and willingly forgives us our many and
great sins, we promise that _we also will forgive those who sin against
us._ There are such as sin against us, wrong and grieve us with word or
deed. But how small are their faults over against the great and grievous
sins we have committed against our Father in heaven! Having received the
gracious forgiveness of our Father, how could we do otherwise than
forgive also those who trespass against us? Willingly we promise to
forgive them, and to do so _heartily, from our hearts,_ as our Father
has forgiven us, and not only to forgive them, but _readily_ to _do good
to them._ Does not our Father do the same thing to us? We sin against
Him and grieve Him daily, and nevertheless He not only forgives us, but
He also blesses us every day with all His gifts for body and soul. If,
on the other hand, we refuse to forgive our brother, we shall not obtain
forgiveness from our Father. _"When we stand praying, forgive if ye have
aught against any, that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive
you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father
which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."_ Mark 11,25.26. (Read
carefully the beautiful parable of our Lord about the _wicked servant,_
Matt. 18,23-35.)