Catechisma
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The Lord's Prayer

Q39. What is the Fifth Petition?

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Scripture Proofs — King James Version

1

Matthew 6:12

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

Parent Guide

Discuss this question together

Discussion Questions

  1. 1

    What are we asking God to do when we pray "forgive us our sins"?

  2. 2

    Why does the prayer also mention forgiving those who sin against us?

  3. 3

    Is there someone you need to forgive right now?

Illustration

When a friend breaks something of yours and says sorry, and you say "I forgive you," the broken thing may still be broken. But the friendship is whole again. God does something even greater. When he forgives, he removes the sin completely, as far as the east is from the west.

Application

If someone has wronged you and you are holding onto anger, pray this petition out loud tonight. Ask God to forgive your sins, and then ask him to help you let go of the grudge. Forgiving someone does not mean what they did was okay. It means you are giving it to God.

Read Luther’s expanded teaching

From the Large Catechism (1529)