Teach Us to Pray · Stop 5
Why does this prayer tie our forgiveness to forgiving others?
Peter asked Jesus how many times he had to forgive someone. Seven seemed generous. Jesus gave a much bigger number. Today you'll look at the only petition that includes something we promise to do.
Start this stopForgive Us
A trespass is crossing a line you shouldn't, like walking onto someone's land uninvited. Some churches pray “debts” instead, from Matthew's wording, and some newer versions say “sins.” All three name the same thing: what we owe God and each other and can't pay back.
Luther was blunt. We sin every day and deserve none of what we ask for in this prayer. God gives it anyway, by grace. That's the first half.
The second half is ours: “as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Forgiving someone doesn't mean what they did was fine, or that you have to trust them again right away. It means you stop keeping score and hand the score to God.
Read it in your Bible
- Matthew 18:21–22. Peter asks if forgiving someone seven times is enough. Jesus answers with a number so large that nobody could keep count.
- Luke 15:20–24. A son who wasted his inheritance comes home, ready to beg for a job. His father sees him far down the road, runs to him, hugs him, and throws a party.
- Colossians 3:13. Paul tells the church to put up with one another and forgive each other, the same way the Lord forgave them.
The fifth petition and Luther's explanation
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
What does this mean? We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor deny such petitions on account of them; for we are worthy of none of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them; but that He would grant them all to us by grace; for we daily sin much, and indeed deserve nothing but punishment. So will we verily, on our part, also heartily forgive and also readily do good to those who sin against us.
Words to know
- Trespass. To cross a line you shouldn't, like stepping onto someone's land uninvited. The prayer admits we all cross lines, with God and with each other.
- Debts. Matthew's word for what we owe and can't repay. Some churches pray it instead of trespasses. Different words, same prayer. Forgiveness cancels what can't be paid back.
- Peter. The disciple who asked if forgiving seven times was enough. He wanted a limit. Jesus didn't give him one.
- Prodigal. Wasteful. The name people give the son who spent everything and came home. The story is really about the father, who ran.
- Grace. Luther says God grants what we pray for by this, and not because we deserve it. You can't earn forgiveness. You can receive it, every day.