The Lord’s Prayer: Twelve Tips for The Lord’s Prayer, Phrase-by-Phrase – “Forgive Us Our Trespasses, As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us”

8. Forgive Us Our Trespasses,

I like the word “trespass:” – a neat grown-up word for mess-ups –

But better, it’s so non-threatening!

Like a kid crossing a neighbor’s property to chase a ball

Other words scare me: evil, sin, meanness, selfishness, damage.

God, as long as we keep this between us, I’ll cop to some to doing of those bad things

So, I’ll take the deal. It seems fair.

Forgive my mess-ups and I’ll forgive those who have messed me up.

But I’m gonna need your help to close my side of the deal.

By the way, one final thing,

could you also help me to forgive myself?

Sometimes that’s real hard.

Thanks.