The fifth petition is “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

A “trespass” is a sin—a thought, word, or deed which offends God’s holy character and violates his Law, missing the mark of his will and expectations.

Yes. I, together with all humankind, sin daily against God’s Law, in thought, word, and deed, both by what I do and by what I fail to do.

God’s forgiveness is his merciful pardon of sin and removal of the guilt that results from our disobedience.

I ask God our loving Father to forgive me through his Son, Jesus Christ, who bore my sins upon the Cross, so that through faith and Baptism I can receive his righteousness.

Yes. In Christ, God freely forgives the sins of all, including me, who sincerely repent and in true faith turn to him.

I should forgive others because, while I was still a sinner, God forgave me through Jesus Christ. Failing to forgive impedes God’s work in my life and gives opportunity to the evil one.

Forgiveness is a decision of my will and an attitude of my heart that seeks the good of my neighbor, and chooses not to hold against them the damage they have inflicted. I forgive whether they have asked for forgiveness or not.

No. Though my decision and desire to forgive may not result in my neighbor’s repentance or our reconciliation, I am still called to forgive.

The sixth petition is “And lead us not into temptation.”

Temptation is any enticement to turn from faith in God and to violate his commandments.

I am tempted by the false promises of the world, the selfish desires of my flesh, and the lies of the devil, all of which war against God and my spiritual well-being.

I ask God to increase my faith to trust him, enliven my conscience to fear him, soften my heart to love him, and strengthen my will to obey him, that I may resist evil and stand in the face of temptation.

No. God never tempts anyone, nor is he the cause of any sin; but he does allow me to be tested so that I may grow in faith and obedience.

As I abide in Christ, I can guard against temptation by praying for protection and strength, confessing my sins, recalling God’s Word, avoiding tempting situations, and seeking the support of fellow Christians.

In the fellowship of Christ’s Body, I can find companionship when I am lonely or vulnerable, support to resist ungodly influence, wisdom to guard me from folly, exhortation to grow in holiness, and discipline to correct me when I fall into error.

The seventh petition is “But deliver us from evil.”

Evil is the willful perversion of God’s will. Evil defies God’s holiness, violates his Law, enslaves us to sin, and mars his good creation.

God created rational creatures free to love, obey, and worship him, but we have used our freedom to reject his love, rebel against him, and choose evil. Yet no evil can thwart God’s purposes, and he is able to use evil to bring about even greater good.

No. The sinful choices of his creatures do not implicate God in evil in any way.

Yes. Satan had already opposed God and chosen evil when he tempted Adam and Eve.

Demons, of whom Satan is chief, are fallen angels. Satan rebelled against God and led other angels to follow him. They now cause spiritual and sometimes physical harm to mortals, and they sow lies that lead to confusion, despair, sin, and death.

Satan and his angels were overcome by envy and pride and rebelled against God.

Angels are rational, spiritual beings created by God. God’s holy angels joyfully serve him in heavenly worship, and God appoints them to act as messengers, bringing words of guidance and assurance to the faithful, and assisting and protecting them.

God has triumphed over all the powers of evil through the death, resurrection, and ascension of his Son, Jesus Christ. God will finally destroy all evil, including death, at the end of the age.

Though disaster, disease, death, and the evil deeds of his creatures may cause great harm and suffering, the almighty and all-wise God can use them to bring about his good purposes, both in the world and in my life.

I seek to be delivered from my own fallen inclination toward evil. I also seek God’s deliverance from the devil; from the dangers of the day and night; from sorrow, sickness, and horror; from injustice and oppression; and from everlasting damnation.

Jesus has conquered the dominion of darkness and now grants me victory over sin and evil through the Holy Spirit. He transforms my mind and heart to see and oppose evil, and gives me the power to overcome it. He gives me strength to endure my trials gracefully and may even remove them from me.

The doxology often added to the Lord’s Prayer is “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.” A doxology is a short phrase or hymn giving glory to God.

Mirroring the first half of the Lord’s Prayer, the Church rejoices that God is already reigning over all creation, working out his holy will, and hallowing his Name in earth and heaven.

By saying “Amen,” which means “so be it,” I declare my agreement with the prayer. I unite with the faithful, and together we pray as Jesus commanded, believing that our petitions please the Father, and trusting that he will hear and answer us.