While anyone can ask to receive forgiveness, reflecting on the way we forgive others can lead us to patience and grace than can be transformative.įor times when forgiving someone proves especially difficult, the Bible teaches that a good time to extend forgiveness is during prayer when our minds and hearts are united with God ( Mark 11:25).īy choosing to replace resentment with forgiveness, we reflect God’s love and mercy in our actions. However, this request contains much wisdom. This section of the Lord’s Prayer may be the toughest to pray and follow. And Forgive Us Our Trespasses, as We Forgive Those Who Trespass against Us First, we pray for the Kingdom of God to take form in the here and now so that we can live in a world characterized by faith, hope, and love ( 1 Corinthians 13:13).ĥ. In this petition, we pray that the entire world will recognize the holy name of God as the one true God of all, the Creator and Ruler of the universe. We, as Christians, understand that the Almighty Father is to be revered and praised above all else. “There is no one holy like the Lord” ( 1 Samuel 2:2). God’s name is holy, as God is the epitome of sanctity. This opening address also unites Christians worldwide into one community of worshippers as we pray to “our” Father and not individually to “my” Father.Īfter this address, invoking the Lord, the seven petitions follow: 1. This address reaffirms our core belief as Christians that God is our celestial Father, both with us in spirit and above us in the perfect realm of Heaven.
The prayer opens simply enough, with an address to Our Father, who art in Heaven.