In today’s blog Timothy Keller continues his discussion of the Lord’s Prayer (Chapter 6) with the next two petitions.
5. Give us this day our daily bread. Pastor Keller notes that while the first three petitions center on recognizing God as our true food, wealth, and happiness, Jesus now charges us to align our “prayer list” of needs with our new frame of heart. Augustine reasoned that the full petition should be Proverbs 30:8- “Give me neither poverty (lest I resent you) or riches (lest I forget you).” We come to God with our needs in expectation of a positive response because we’re satisfied in Him and trust in Him. We ask without desperation.
6. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Pastor Keller states that this petition concerns our relationships, both with God and with other people. In his Large Catechism, Martin Luther wrote of our daily need to seek God’s forgiveness in prayer:
“If anyone insists on his own goodness and despises others . . . let him look into himself when this petition confronts him. He will find he is no better than others and that in the presence of God everyone must duck his head and come into the joy of forgiveness only through the low door of humility.”
Luther added that this petition challenges our pride and is a test of spiritual reality. Regular confession should produce increased confidence and joy in our lives, reflecting our understanding of salvation by grace.
Today’s question: How have you avoided bumping your head on “the low door of humility”? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “God’s sufficiency”
