READING.--The Feeding of the Five Thousand, John 6:1-13.




CHAPTER XXIX.

THE FIFTH PETITION.


And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against
us.

_What is meant by this Petition?_

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.