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
Matthew 18:21–35
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)