In the model prayer Jesus gave us in Matthew chapter 6, after asking for daily provision, He teaches us to pray, Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

This is one of the most challenging parts of the prayer because it directly ties God's forgiveness of our sins to our willingness to forgive those who have sinned against us. Jesus isn't saying that we earn God's forgiveness by forgiving others; forgiveness from God is always by grace through faith in Christ. But He is saying that if we have truly experienced God's forgiveness, it should transform how we treat others. A person who has been forgiven much will forgive much.

Right after giving the model prayer, Jesus emphasizes this point in verses 14 and 15:

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

This doesn't mean God withdraws salvation from believers who struggle to forgive; it means that unforgiveness hinders our fellowship with Him and blocks the free flow of His forgiveness in our daily walk. Unforgiveness is like a dam that holds back the river of grace in our lives.

Think about it practically: If you're harboring bitterness toward someone—maybe a family member, a coworker, or even someone from years ago—when you come to God in prayer asking for forgiveness of your own sins, that bitterness stands in the way. It affects your relationship with the Father. Jesus wants us to deal with it honestly.

So in prayer, bring those offenses to God. Ask Him to help you forgive as He has forgiven you. Release the debt. Let it go, not because the other person deserves it, but because Christ paid your debt in full on the cross, and you've been set free. When you do, you'll experience greater freedom in prayer, deeper intimacy with God, and the joy of reflecting His mercy to others.

Pray this part of the model with an open heart: Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. As you forgive, you'll find God's forgiveness flowing freely in your life.

Unforgiveness toward others is like a dam that holds back the river of God’s grace in our lives. 

1. Is there anyone in your life you need to forgive? Ask God to give you the grace to do what He wants you to do, which is to forgive them. 
2. Pray that the Lord will pour out His grace upon our church family and give us all the strength to forgive all the people who have wronged us. 
3. Ask God to heal the hearts of all in our church family who have been wounded by the wrongs of others.