Westminster Larger Catechism (Q 194-195)

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday, in our weekly Sunday school lessons in the Westminster Larger Catechism (WLC), we studied and discussed questions 194-195. Here is a brief review.

WLC 194  What do we pray for in the fifth petition?
A. In the fifth petition (which is, Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,) acknowledging, that we and all others are guilty both of original and actual sin, and thereby become debtors to the justice of God; and that neither we, nor any other creature, can make the least satisfaction for that debt: we pray for ourselves and others that God of his free grace would, through the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, apprehended and applied by faith, acquit us both from the guilt and punishment of sin, accept us in his Beloved; continue his favour and grace to us, pardon our daily failings, and fill us with peace and joy, in giving us daily more and more assurance of forgiveness; which we are the rather emboldened to ask, and encouraged to expect, when we have this testimony in ourselves, that we from the heart forgive others their offences.

Recognizing that our own sinful nature and actual sin make us debtors to God’s justice – a debt which we are unable to satisfy (Romans 3:9-26) – in this fifth petition, we pray for three general things for ourselves and others:

1. That God would acquit us from the guilt and punishment of our sin and accept us in Christ (Ephesians 1:5-8; Romans 3:21-26; Hebrews 9:22).
2. That God would continue to pardon our sins and give us assurance of forgiveness (Psalm 51:7-12).
3. That we would be prone to forgive others in order that we might be emboldened to pray for forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-35).

WLC 195  What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
A. In the sixth petition (which is, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,) acknowledging, that the most wise, righteous, and gracious God, for divers holy and just ends, may so order things, that we may be assaulted, foiled, and for a time led captive by temptations; that Satan, the world, and the flesh, are ready powerfully to draw us aside, and ensnare us; and that we, even after the pardon of our sins, by reason of our corruption, weakness, and want of watchfulness, are not only subject to be tempted, and forward to expose ourselves unto temptations, but also of ourselves unable and unwilling to resist them, to recover out of them, and to improve them; and worthy to be left under the power of them: we pray, that God would so overrule the world and all in it, subdue the flesh, and restrain Satan, order all things, bestow and bless all means of grace, and quicken us to watchfulness in the use of them, that we and all his people may by his providence be kept from being tempted to sin; or, if tempted, that by his Spirit we may be powerfully supported and enabled to stand in the hour of temptation: or when fallen, raised again and recovered out of it, and have a sanctified use and improvement thereof: that our sanctification and salvation may be perfected, Satan trodden under our feet, and we fully freed from sin, temptation, and all evil, for ever.

Recognizing that God tests the hearts of men (Exodus 20:20; Deuteronomy 8:15-20; 2 Chronicles 32:31) and that we are in a continual war against Satan, the world, and the flesh (Galatians 5:17; Matthew 26:41), in this sixth petition, we pray for four general things for ourselves:

1. That God would conquer all His and our enemies and providentially keep us from temptation to sin (Psalm 19:12-13; Psalm 119:133; 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 ).
2. That, in the midst of temptation, He would enable us to stand and resist (Jude 1:24-25).
3. That, when we fall into sins, He would raise us up and increase our sanctification (1 Peter 5:8).
4. That God would perfect us in our sanctification and salvation and fully free us from sin, temptation, and evil (1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 12:22-24).

Conclusion

I hope you will join us for our continuing study of the Westminster Larger Catechism on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am as we learn more about how God’s Word directs and helps us to pray!

The Lord be with you!
Pastor Peter M. Dietsch