Luther's Small Catechism Part 24

They should ask G.o.d to bless their daily bread, and return Him thanks for it.

=Prov. 10: 22. The blessing of the Lord maketh rich.=

_303. Need we not work for our daily bread when we pray for it every day?_

Yes; G.o.d wants us to be diligent, each in our calling, trusting in His help.

=Gen. 3:19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.=

=2 Thess. 3: 10. If any would not work, neither should he eat.=

THE FIFTH PEt.i.tION.

=And forgive us our trespa.s.ses, as we forgive those who trespa.s.s against us.=

_That is_,

We pray in this pet.i.tion that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor, on account of them, deny our prayer; for we are not worthy of anything we ask, neither have we deserved it; but we pray that He would give it to us out of His mercy; for we sin every day, and deserve nothing but punishment.

And we on our part will heartily forgive those who have sinned against us, and return good for evil.

_304. What do you pray for in the fifth pet.i.tion?_

I pray G.o.d to forgive us our trespa.s.ses.

_305. What is implied by the word "trespa.s.ses"?_

Thereby is implied our guilt or debt to G.o.d, which we have brought upon ourselves by our sins.

_306. Can we feel a.s.sured that G.o.d will forgive us this debt?_

Yes; Jesus Christ has paid for all our sins.

_307. Why must the believer ask the forgiveness of sins every day?_

Because he sins every day, and is always in need of forgiveness.

_308. What do we confess to G.o.d in this pet.i.tion?_

We confess that we are not worthy of the least of that which we ask, neither have we deserved it; but we pray that He would give it to us out of His mercy.

_309. What do we promise G.o.d in this pet.i.tion, while asking His forgiveness?_

We promise to forgive those who trespa.s.s against us, and return good for evil.

=Luke 6:37. Condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.=

=Matt. 18:23-35.=

THE SIXTH PEt.i.tION.

=And lead us not into temptation.=

_That is_,

G.o.d indeed tempts no one, but we pray in this pet.i.tion that He would guard and keep us from the devil, the world, and our own flesh, that we fall not, through their deceit, into unbelief, despair, or other sins; but we pray that although we be thus tempted, we may overcome the temptation, and remain victorious.

_310. What do you pray for in this pet.i.tion?_

I pray G.o.d not to lead us into temptation.

_311. What is meant by temptation?_

By temptation is meant opportunities that invite to sin.

_312. Does G.o.d give us such opportunities in order that we may sin?_

By no means; G.o.d, who is holy and loving, does not tempt any one to sin.

=James 1:13. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of G.o.d: for G.o.d cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.=

_313. Why then does G.o.d permit us to be tempted?_

G.o.d permits us to be tempted in order to try us, and in order that it may be seen whether we have true faith, love, and patience.

=Read Gen. 22:1-19.=

_314. Who, on the other hand, tempt us to sin?_

The devil, the world, and our own flesh, tempt us to sin.

_315. How does the devil tempt us?_

The devil tempts us by putting evil thoughts into our minds.

_316. How does the world tempt us?_

The world tempts us by threats, attractive invitations, and bad example.

=Prov. 1:10. My son if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.=

_317. How does our flesh tempt us?_

Our own flesh tempts by its evil desires.

=James 1:14. Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own l.u.s.t, and enticed.=