Q. 194. What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
A. In the fifth petition, (which is, Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,) acknowledging, that we and all others are guilty both of original and actual sin, and thereby become debtors to the justice of God; and that neither we, nor any other creature, can make the
least satisfaction for that debt:[w] we pray for ourselves and others, that God of his free grace would, through the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, apprehended and applied by faith, acquit us both from the guilt and punishment of sin,[x]
accept us in his Beloved;[y] continue his favour and grace to us,[z] pardon our daily failings,[a] and fill us with peace and joy, in giving us daily more and more assurance of
forgiveness;[b] which we are the rather emboldened to ask, and encouraged to expect, when we have this testimony in ourselves, that we from the heart forgive others their offenses.[c]
In the fifth petition, (which is, Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,) we acknowledge, that we and all others are guilty both of original and actual sin, and thereby become debtors to the justice of God; and that neither we, nor any other creature, can make the least satisfaction for that debt:[w]
| [w]. Rom. 3:9-12, 19; Matt. 18:24-25; Ps. 130:3-4 Romans 3:9-12 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. {10} As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; {11} There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. {12} They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." {19} Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. |
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| Matthew 18:24-25 "And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. {25} "But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. | |
| Psalm 130:3-4 If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? {4} But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. |
In the fifth petition, (which is, Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,) we pray for ourselves and others, that God of his free grace would, through the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, apprehended and applied by faith, acquit us both from the guilt and punishment of sin,[x]
| [x]. Rom. 3:24-26; Heb. 9:22 Romans 3:24-26 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, {25} whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, {26} to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Hebrews 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. |
In the fifth petition, (which is, Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,) we pray for ourselves and others, that God of his free grace would, through the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, apprehended and applied by faith, accept us in his Beloved;[y]
| [y].Ephesians 1:6-7 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. {7} In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace |
In the fifth petition, (which is, Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,) we pray for ourselves and others, that God of his free grace would, through the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, apprehended and applied by faith, continue his favour and grace to us,[z]
| [z].2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, |
In the fifth petition, (which is, Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,) we pray for ourselves and others, that God of his free grace would, through the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, apprehended and applied by faith, pardon our daily failings,[a]
| [a]. Hosea 14:2; Jer. 14:7 Hosea 14:2 Take words with you, And return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. Jeremiah 14:7 O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, Do it for Your name's sake; For our backslidings are many, We have sinned against You. |
In the fifth petition, (which is, Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,) we pray for ourselves and others, that God of his free grace would, through the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, apprehended and applied by faith, fill us with peace and joy, in giving us daily more and more assurance of forgiveness;[b]
| [b]. Rom. 15:13; Ps. 51:7-10, 12 Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Psalm 51:7-10 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. {8} Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. {9} Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. {10} Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. {12} Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. |
In the fifth petition, (which is, Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,) we are the rather emboldened to ask, and encouraged to expect, all these promises, when we have this testimony in ourselves, that we from the heart forgive others their offenses.[c]
| [c]. Luke 11:4; Matt. 6:14-15; Matt. 18:35 Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one." Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. {15} "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 18:35 "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." |
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