“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors”
Meditation 2: “Us” is Reflective
While perhaps a minor point, our petition is not forgiveness for others. Though that petition would not be wrong, it is unworthy of utterance until we have straightened out our own forgiveness and obedience (Matt 7:3-5; 1 Pet 3:7).
To focus on others before ourselves is to relegate to secondary the major issue of this petition, our unmerited forgiveness. The pious sinner remains in sin when his own confession is forgotten (Luke 18:9-14). We must pray with our forgiveness first most on our hearts.