Monday, March 21, 2016 Forgive Us Our Trespasses
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they
do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting
lots. Luke 23:34
Jesus
prayed for all those blind to their actions Jesus’ prayer reflects His teaching
and is repeated by Stephen. The casting of lots involves change, yet God
foresaw the outcome. [1]
Why
do we include a pray for forgiveness of sins in these petitions to our heavenly
Father? We are not worthy of the things for which we pray and have not deserved
them. We therefore need God’s forgiveness so that we may pray to Him
confidently and in good conscience. “Where the heart is not in a right
relationship with God…it will not dare to pray… A confident and joyful heart
can spring from nothing else than the certain knowledge of the forgiveness of
sin.” (Large Catechism III 92)[2]
Almighty God, whose dear Son went not up to
joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was
crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find
it none other that the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and
ever. Amen[3]
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