Question 127 - What is the sixth petition?

Answer - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. That is: In ourselves we are so weak that we cannot stand even for a moment.¹ Moreover, our sworn enemies-- the devil,² the world,³ and our own flesh⁴-- do not cease to attack us. Wilt Thou, therefore, uphold and strengthen us by the power of Thy Holy Spirit, so that in this spiritual war⁵ we may not go down to defeat, but always firmly resist our enemies, until we finally obtain the complete victory.⁶

Question 126 - What is the fifth petition?

Answer - And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. That is: For the sake of Christ's blood, do not impute to us, wretched sinners; any of our transgressions, nor the evil which still clings to us,¹ as we also find this evidence of Thy grace in us that we are fully determined wholeheartedly to forgive our neighbor.²

¹ Ps. 51:1-7; 143:2; Rom. 8:1; 1 John 2:1-2. ² Matt. 6:14-15; 18:21-35.

Question 125 - What is the fourth petition?

Answer - Give us this day our daily bread. That is: Provide us with all our bodily needs¹ so that we may acknowledge that Thou art the only fountain of all good,² and that our care and labour, and also Thy gifts, cannot do us any good without Thy blessing.³ Grant therefore that we may withdraw our trust from all creatures, and place it only in Thee.⁴

¹ Ps. 104:27-30; 145:15-16; Matt. 6:25-34. ² Acts 14:17; 17:25; James 1:17. ³ Deut. 8:3; Ps. 37:16; 127:1, 2; 1 Cor. 15:58. ⁴ Ps. 55:22; 62; 146; Jer. 17:5-8; Heb. 13:5-6.

Question 124 - What is the third petition?

Answer - Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. That is: Grant that we and all men may deny our own will, and without any murmuring obey Thy will, for it alone is good.¹ Grant also that everyone may carry out the duties of his office and calling² as willingly and faithfully as the angels in heaven.³

¹ Matt. 7:21; 16:24-26; Luke 22:42; Rom. 12:1-2; Tit. 2:11-12. ² 1 Cor. 7:17-24; Eph. 6:5-9. ³ Ps. 103:20-21.

Question 123 - What is the second petition?

Answer - Thy kingdom come. That is: So rule us by Thy Word and Spirit that more and more we submit to Thee.¹ Preserve and increase Thy church.² Destroy the works of the devil, every power that raises itself against Thee, and every conspiracy against Thy holy Word.³ Do all this until the fulness of Thy kingdom comes, wherein Thou shalt be all in all.⁴

¹ Ps. 119:5, 105; 143:10; Matt. 6:33. ² Ps. 51:18; 122:6-9; Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:42-47. ³ Rom. 16:20; 1 John 3:8. ⁴ Rom. 8:22- 23; 1 Cor. 15:28; Rev. 22:17-20.

Question 120 - Why has Christ commanded us to address God as Our Father?

Answer - To awaken in us at the very beginning of our prayer that childlike reverence and trust toward God which should be basic to our prayer: God has become our Father through Christ and will much less deny us what we ask of Him in faith than our fathers would refuse us earthly things.¹

¹ Matt. 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13.

Question 116 - Why is prayer necessary for Christians?

Answer - Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness which God requires of us.¹ Moreover, God will give His grace and the Holy Spirit only to those who constantly and with heartfelt longing ask Him for these gifts and thank Him for them.²

¹ Ps. 50:14-15; 116:12-19; 1 Thess. 5:16-18. ² Matt. 7:7-8; Luke 11:9-13.

Question 117 - What belongs to a prayer which pleases God and is heard by Him?

Answer - First, we must from the heart call upon the one true God only, who has revealed Himself in His Word, for all that He has commanded us to pray.¹ Second, we must thoroughly know our need and misery, so that we may humble ourselves before God.² Third, we must rest on this firm foundation that, although we do not deserve it, God will certainly hear our prayer for the sake of Christ our Lord, as He has promised us in His Word.³

Question 113 - What does the tenth commandment require of us?

Answer - That not even the slightest thought or desire contrary to any of God's commandments should ever arise in our heart. Rather, we should always hate all sin with all our heart, and delight in all righteousness.¹

Question 112 - What is required in the ninth commandment?

Answer - I must not give false testimony against anyone, twist no one's words, not gossip or slander, nor condemn or join in condemning anyone rashly and unheard.¹ Rather, I must avoid all lying and deceit as the devil's own works, under penalty of God's heavy wrath.² In court and everywhere else, I must love the truth,³ speak and confess it honestly, and do what I can to defend and promote my neighbour's honour and reputation.⁴

¹ Ps. 15; Prov. 19:5-9; 21:28; Matt. 7:1; Luke 6:37; Rom. 1:28-32. ² Lev. 19:11-12; Prov. 12:22; 13:5; John 8:44; Rev. 21:8. ³ 1 Cor. 13:6; Eph. 4:25. ⁴ 1 Pet. 3:8-9; 4:8.

Question 110 - What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?

Answer - God forbids not only outright theft and robbery¹ but also such wicked schemes and devices as false weights and measures, deceptive merchandising, counterfeit money, and usury;² we must not defraud our neighbour in any way, whether by force or by show of right.³ In addition God forbids all greed⁴ and all abuse or squandering of His gifts.⁵