May we learn how to pray as Jesus instructs in regard to petitions for God's children and our needs.

The following hopefully will clear up any issues with the explaination of the fifth petition in Christ's model prayer; asking God to forgive us of our sins AS WE ALSO HAVE FORGIVEN OUR DEBTORS. This is what I wanted to communicate this morning and didn't do a good job. I hope the following will help.

Because the Holy Spirit indwells all born again believers, He produces in all those who are in Christ a practical righteousness that is conforming them into Christ's image. This is a practical righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees. 

It is because of this great truth about us because of who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us on the cross (being forgiven of our sins) that we can forgive others in a way that is characteristic of who I am as a citizen of Christ's Kingdom. Therefore, we can pray:

Father, forgive me in a way that shows how I have been forgiven by You because of Christ's redeeming sacrifice on the cross.

6:14 - For if you forgive others their trespasses, it is because you know the forgiveness of God in Christ and your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

6:15 - but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, it is because you have never known the forgiveness of God in Christ, and neither will your Father forgive your trespasses

Jeff