We pray in this petition that our heavenly Father would not regard our sins, nor deny us our requests on account of them; for we are not worthy of anything for which we pray, and have not merited it; but that He would grant us all things through grace, although we daily commit much sin and deserve chastisement alone. We will, therefore, on our part both heartily forgive and also readily do good to those who may injure or offend us. In this Petition we acknowledge our sinfulness, pray for forgiveness, and promise to forgive our fellow-men. The word "And" connects this petition very closely with the preceding one. The daily forgiveness of our sins is as necessary for our souls as our daily bread is for our bodies. AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES. These words are at once a Confession of Sin, and a Prayer for Pardon. 1. _A Confession._ The praying of this petition presupposes a penitent state of heart. If we are not truly penitent, this petition is a mockery on our lips. We have need to confess our guilt, because WE DAILY COMMIT MUCH SIN. [I John 4:8] If we are true Christians, we do not sin wilfully and intentionally. But with our best efforts, we still sin much through weakness, [Rom. 7:19] not only by commission, but still more by omission. Not a day passes by, in which we do not transgress God's law by thoughts and words and deeds. We often do the wrong and omit doing the right without even knowing that we have done so. [Ps. 19:12] AND DESERVE CHASTISEMENT (Punishment) ALONE. Our sins make us guilty and deserving of punishment, even though they be sins of weakness. We must not excuse or extenuate them. God never excuses any one. But if we penitently confess our sins, He will forgive us for Jesus' sake. [Ps. 32:5+, I John 1:9] 2. _A Prayer for Pardon._ As in the fourth petition we daily pray "Give," so in this fifth petition we daily pray "Forgive." Since Jesus has taught us to pray thus, and we pray as God's children, this petition presupposes that we pray in faith. We pray as those who believe that God will be gracious and merciful to us for Jesus' sake. WE PRAY IN THIS PETITION THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WOULD NOT REGARD OUR SINS, [Ps. 25:7, Ps. 51:9] but would look upon the righteousness which Jesus has acquired for us "with His holy and precious blood and His innocent sufferings and death." [1 John 1:7] NOR DENY US OUR REQUESTS ON ACCOUNT OF THEM. If God should regard our sins, He would send only punishment upon us, [Ps. 130:3+, Ps.143:2] and not give us any of those benefits for which we ask in our prayer. FOR WE ARE NOT WORTHY OF ANYTHING FOR WHICH WE PRAY, HAVE NOT MERITED IT. Nothing which we have done or are able to do can make amends for our sins, or earn any blessing from God. [Dan. 9:18, Luke 15:18-19+] We therefore pray THAT HE WOULD GRANT US ALL THINGS THROUGH GRACE alone for Jesus' sake, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.