Prayer Series XLI

We continue with excerpts from Reformed Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer.

Matthew 6:5-15, Luke 11:2-4

The Petitions (continued)

And forgive us our trespasses…

Who are meant by us, for whom forgiveness is asked? Ourselves: for every man is in the first place to be concerned for his own pardon . . . Others also, not only those who are already of God’s family, but all sorts of men living. 1 Timothy 2:1.

Thomas Boston

A trespass [is] a deviation from uprightness and truth . . . from obedience to God.

W.E. Vine

Trespasses (Ephesians 2:1) . . . indicate the deliberate transgression of the law [of God].

Geoffrey B. Wilson

[Here] we confess that we are sinners, and need daily . . . forgiveness.

J.C. Ryle

Forgiveness necessarily implies ill- desert on the part of the forgiven, and grace on the part of Him who forgives.

William S. Plumer

The forgiveness that is ascribed to God (Psalm 130:4) is not a relaxing of His strict justice . . . but a forgiveness . . . through an atonement of His providing.

William de Burgh

The proof that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ (i.e. in His death) (2 Corinthians 5:19) is that He does not impute to men their trespasses . . . Not to impute sin is to forgive it. Romans 4:5; 2 Timothy 4:16.

Charles Hodge

The greatness of our sins does not debar us from humbly casting ourselves at the feet of God.

William S. Plumer

Bible Proof Texts: Psalm 130:4, Psalm 25:11, Psalm 32:1-2,5

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RESOURCES:

The Lord’s Prayer: Explained and Applied (by Wilhelmus à Brakel)

Sermon on The Lord’s Prayer by Charles Spurgeon – “A Heavenly Pattern for Our Earthly Life”

C.S. LEWIS COMMENTARY ON THE LORD’S PRAYER

What Is the Purpose of the Lord’s Prayer? (GTY Ministries)

What is the Lord’s prayer? (by James Ussher)

The Lord’s Prayer: Its Spirit and Teaching (by Octavius Winslow)

The Lord’s Prayer (eBook) (by A W Pink)

The Lord’s Prayer (eBook) by Thomas Watson