6:12: The Lord's Prayer: The Terrible Petition

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors (Matthew 6:12).”

“A man can as well go to Hell for not forgiving as for not believing (Thomas Watson)”

I.              Introduction

a. This portion reveals a connection with our daily physical needs and our emotional, spiritual needs

                                                          i.      It is connected to the previous verse by the word “and”

b.This is probably the hardest portion of the Lord’s Prayer to pray

II.        Forgiving our debts

a. The Greek word for “forgive” is “aphiemi”

                                                          i.      It means “to send forth, in various applications (as follow):--cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up.”

b.The Greek word for “debts” is “opheilema”

                                                          i.      This Greek word is only used twice in the NT (Matt. 6:12; Rom. 4:4)

                                                      ii.      It means “a failure to pay that which is due or a failure in duty”

c.  As one views this verse, they realize that this verse concerns our debt to God

d.                        Man’s debt to God is our due to sin (Rom. 6:23)

                                                          i.      Song “He Paid a Debt”

e. Our sin will keep God from answering our prayers (Psa. 66:18)

f.    We must petition God that our sins first be forgiven (1 John 1:9)

III.  Forgiving others

a. This portion of the verse reveals why Augustine called this “the terrible petition”

b.We cannot honestly pray this prayer if we are not willing to forgive others (Mark 11:25)

                                                          i.      God forgave us so we must forgive others (Matt. 18:21-35)

1.This is also emphasized in the Sermon on the Mount in Matt. 6:14-15)

IV.   How the unforgiving spirit affects us and/or others?

a. It makes us like the person we are bitter towards

b.It can damage a wife (Col. 3:19)

c.  It defiles the individual (Heb. 12:15)

d.                        It is devilish in nature (James 3:14 & 15)

e. It devastates our bones (Ps. 32:3; Pr. 15:30; 17:22; 14:30; 12:4)

f.    It demolishes one’s ability to love God (1 Jn. 4:20 & 21)

V.         How can we overcome anger and forgive others?

a. Realize that God can work through the actions of those who hurt or offend you (Gen. 50:20; Ps. 76:10)

b.Revere God for each blessing that comes from the offense (1 Thess. 5:18)

c.  Recognize what character traits that God is trying to instill in your life

                                                          i.      Learning to understand

                                                      ii.      Learning to forget

                                                  iii.      Learning to love (Pr. 24:17 & 18; 25:21 & 22; Job 21:29 & 30; Matt. 5:44; Rom 12:17-210; 1 Pet. 3:8 & 9)

                                                    iv.      Learn to be patient (James 1:3 & 4)

d.                        Realizing that suffering is part of being a Christian (Phil. 1:29; 2 Tim. 3:12; 2:12)

e. Learning to respond correctly with God’s help (1 Cor. 15:10; Titus 2:11-12)

f.    Surrender everything to God (Matt. 6:33)

g.  Pray for the person that you are bitter towards (Rom. 12:14)

h.                        Find God’s purpose in the offense

                                                          i.      Is God trying to get your attention?

                                                      ii.      Is He trying to get you to reevaluate your priorities?

                                                  iii.      Is He trying to teach you to rely on Him more?