The Lord's Prayer
Q40. What does this mean?
We pray that our Father in heaven would not look at our sins or turn away from our prayer because of them. We do not deserve the things we ask for, but we ask God to give them to us by grace, because we sin every day and deserve only punishment. And we also promise to truly forgive and be kind to those who sin against us.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Psalm 51:1–2
Daniel 9:18
Ephesians 4:32
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Matthew 18:21–35
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”
Colossians 3:13
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does the catechism say we do not deserve the things we ask God for?
- 2
What is the difference between earning something and receiving it by grace?
- 3
How does knowing God forgives you make it easier to forgive someone else?
Illustration
Suppose you broke a neighbor's window with a baseball. You could never earn enough money to pay it back and also undo the scare you gave them. But if the neighbor said, "Forget the cost. I forgive you. Come play again tomorrow," that is grace. God does this with every sin, every day.
Application
The next time you pray the Lord's Prayer, slow down at this petition. Name one specific sin from the day and ask God to forgive it. Then think of one person who has wronged you and ask God to help you be kind to that person tomorrow.
Read Luther’s expanded teaching
From the Large Catechism (1529)