Shorter Catechism Qs. 105–107
Q. 105. What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
A. 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; which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.
Q. 106. What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
A. In the sixth petition, which is, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” we pray, That God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted.
Q. 107. What doth the conclusion of the Lord’s prayer teach us?
A. The conclusion of the Lord’s prayer, which is, “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen.” teacheth us, to take our encouragement in prayer from God only, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power and glory to him. And, in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.
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This is the fourth and the last study on the Lord’s Prayer (first part, second part, and third part), as well as the conclusion to our study of the Shorter Catechism. Now, what has all this been for? It was, of course, about many things. Along the way we’ve learned the basic contours of the great doctrines of grace, how to answer unbelievers, and to think and speak well of our God. But most importantly, our study was for the purpose of knowing God as he reveals himself in the Bible and through Jesus, that we might enter into a deeper communion with him with the help of his Spirit. Thus it is very appropriate that the Shorter Catechism concludes with prayer.
In the fifth petition we ask, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Indeed, so important is this that Jesus repeats this after the Lord’s Prayer: “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt 6:14–15) Of course, we love and treasure the glorious gift of God’s free grace, that we are justified not by our works, but by grace alone. But if we treasure (and we should!) the message of free justification by faith, we should also treasure the teachings of the Lord Jesus who justifies us. Do not dismiss what Jesus is saying here. Unless you forgive, you will not be forgiven.
Why? Prayer is a means of communion with God. And all who come to God must come in Jesus or they do not come at all. To come to God in Jesus is to come in the name, and holding the hands, of Jesus who is the embodiment of God’s forgiveness. We cannot come to the Father holding Jesus’ hand while being bitterly angry against someone for the sins they have committed against us. For at that moment, we are most unlike Jesus. And in our bitter anger we show ourselves not to be holding Jesus’ hand, but the hand of the Accuser of the brethren. Indeed, what is withholding forgiveness except to accuse others of irredeemable and unforgivable sin? For we may be sure that the only one who insists that any sin is beyond forgiveness is Satan. But how can we come to the Father in Satan’s likeness? Remember this. We come to God in Jesus, or we do not come at all.
In the sixth petition we ask, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” One specific way we can apply this is to ask God to deliver us from the temptation of unforgiving heart. Yes, by all means pray to be delivered from all temptations. Without him we are nothing, and can do nothing. Our safety and strength are in God. He has promised to help us in our time of need.
But do not be so consumed with the thought of victory over temptation that you forget it is all about communion with God. Once again, see how Jesus himself concludes the Lord’s Prayer in Matt 6:14–15. “For if you forgive others…”
Let us conclude. Kingdom, power, and glory belong to God. In a way, all our lives are a striving after these three things. We strive to build our kingdom, a world, a life where we reign supreme, our desires are fulfilled, and others bow before us in humility. We strive to gain power over circumstances and people. We strive for the glory of being adored, to be admired, to be revealed. But true knowledge of God is to ascribe kingdom, power, and glory to God. It means that we live and do all things for the fame of God’s name. Indeed, may the Lord reign with grace and power. And may every creature give him glory. Amen.