Luther’s Small Catechism

by Dr. Martin Luther
Introduction The Ten Commandments The Creed The Lord’s Prayer Means of Grace The Sacrament of Baptism Confession The Sacrament of the Altar Daily Prayers Table of Duties Christian Questions with Their Answers Luther’s Preface
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From Luther’s Small Catechism © 2019 Concordia Publishing House, cph.org

Explanation of The Fifth Petition

Explanation of The Fifth Petition

The Fifth Petition

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

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin 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.

The Central Thought

People cannot live in peace with one another for long unless they forgive one another.

How do both the failure to forgive and the failure to receive forgiveness burden us? 

Read Matthew 18:21--35. Reflect on how richly and fully God has forgiven us, and how He wants His forgiveness to change the way we...

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