In verses Matthew 6:9 – 13, Jesus provides a model for believers to follow as they pray. He is speaking to crowds that have gathered around Him as He sits and preaches. Jesus is sharing that believers are not to pray to draw attention to ourselves or to just say Christian phrases so we sound good. He exhorts us to pray differently. He then shares what is commonly called the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus says, “Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread,
¹² and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.”

The eighth line is “as we also have forgiven our debtors.” This is a very deep part of the Lord’s prayer that should not be prayed lightly. In the prior line we are asking for God to forgive us of our sins and then we pray this – as we have forgiven our debtors. Notice that the sentence here is past tense, we are to forgive those that have sinned against us before we ask God for forgiveness. The reason for that is unforgiveness is a sin. So if we have not forgiven our debtors, those who have sinned against us, we are asking God for forgiveness while still sinning. Matthew 6:14 -15 says, “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.” Please do not miss this.

Why does forgiving others matter to God? He loves them just as He loves you. He died for them, just as He died for you. His precious Son, Jesus, shed His blood for them, just as He did for you. If they believe in Jesus, their sins are washed away, it is the same for you. It matters to God that you forgive others because He forgave you.

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for showing us how to pray. Thank You for the promise we have of Your forgiveness if we confess our sins. Help us to forgive those who have sinned agsinst us. Give us the strength to see them as sinful, broken people in need of love and forgiveness as You see them. Help us to place You first in everything so that we may reflect Your love to everyone we meet. In Jesus name we pray, amen.