Question 105

What do we pray for in the fifth petition?

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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;1 which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.2

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1. Psalm 51:1. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
   Romans 3:24-25. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

2. Luke 11:4. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
   Matthew 18:35. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
   Matthew 6:14-15. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

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