Dr. Luther’s Small Catechism lesson for the week of November 5, 2023:
[III] THE LORD’S PRAYER
IN THE PLAIN FORM IN WHICH THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY
SHALL TEACH IT TO HIS HOUSEHOLD
THE FIFTH PETITION
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
What does this mean?
Answer: We pray in this petition that our heavenly Father may not look upon our sins, and on their account deny our prayers, for we neither merit nor deserve those things for which we pray. Although we sin daily and deserve nothing but punishment, we nevertheless pray that God may grant us all things by his grace. And assuredly we on our part will heartily forgive and cheerfully do good to those who may sin against us.[1]
[1]Tappert, T. G. 2000, c1959. The book of concord: The confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church. Fortress Press: Philadelphia