I am astounded when people can’t stick to the subject of the thread — The Our Father.
Do you say it?
Sometimes I try to just and listen.
#168
I too prefer the title "Our Father" rather than the "Lord's Prayer". I say it several times a week.
Regarding the Our Father, Luther's small catechism addresses the fifth petition with the following 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.
Before this thread, I've heard people claim that the fifth petition is an example of works righteousness. Claiming that we gain forgiveness only after forgiving others. I thought it was silly idea then, just as I do now.
I would ask, why do we forgive others? So that we can earn forgiveness for ourselves? No! We forgive because we were forgiven first and our forgiveness of others is an outpouring of the new man.
Works righteousness is a stain that perverts everything it touches. It changes our natural response to God into a qualification to earn his grace.