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Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 194

Question 194

What do we pray for in the fifth petition?

In the fifth petition (which is, Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,) acknowledging, that we and all others are guilty both of original and actual sin, and thereby become debtors to the justice of God; and that neither we, nor any other creature, can make the least satisfaction for that debt: we pray for ourselves and others, that God of his free grace would, through the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, apprehended and applied by faith, acquit us both from the guilt and punishment of sin, accept us in his Beloved; continue his favor and grace to us, pardon our daily failings, and fill us with peace and joy, in giving us daily more and more assurance of forgiveness; which we are the rather emboldened to ask, and encouraged to expect, when we have this testimony in ourselves, that we from the heart forgive others their offenses.

Scripture references for paragraph 1

Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.

Matthew 6:12

12And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Romans 3:9-22

9What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin.

10As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one.

11There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.

12All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

13“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”

14“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

15“Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16ruin and misery lie in their wake,

17and the way of peace they have not known.”

18“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.

20Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.

21But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets.

22And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction,

Matthew 18:24-25

24As he began the settlements, a debtor was brought to him owing ten thousand talents.

25Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned.

Psalms 130:3-4

3If You, O LORD, kept track of iniquities, then who, O Lord, could stand?

4But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be feared.

Romans 3:24-26

24and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

25God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.

26He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus.

Hebrews 9:22

22According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Ephesians 1:6-7

6to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One.

7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

2 Peter 1:2

2Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Hosea 14:2

2Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.

Jeremiah 14:7

7Although our iniquities testify against us, O LORD, act for the sake of Your name. Indeed, our rebellions are many; we have sinned against You.

Romans 15:13

13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalms 51:7-10

7Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice.

9Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities.

10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalms 51:12

12Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.

Luke 11:4

4And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

Matthew 6:14-15

14For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

Matthew 18:35

35That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Source and edition

Westminster Larger Catechism. NonlinearFruit/Creeds.json, Unlicense. Creeds.json, English transcription

Unlicense. Source transcription.

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