Question 116 of 118
What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
In the fifth petition, which is, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” we pray that God, for Christ’s sake, would freely pardon all our sins; which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by His grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.
Scripture proofs
- Matthew 6:12
Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
- Psalm 51:1
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
- Psalm 51:3
For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.
- Psalm 51:7
Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
- Mark 11:25
Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.
- Matthew 18:35
So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (public domain).
More on prayer and the lord’s prayer
- Q109. What is Prayer?
- Q110. What rule has God given for our direction in prayer?
- Q111. What does the preface of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?
- Q112. What do we pray for in the first petition?
- Q113. What do we pray for in the second petition?
- Q114. What do we pray for in the third petition?
- Q115. What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
- Q117. What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
- Q118. What does the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?