Seeking A Prayerful LifeSample

The Basic Principle of Prayer: Forgiveness

Note the first word, “for.” This word connects these verses to the Lord’s Prayer. Immediately after closing the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus explained why He had said that forgiveness is conditional (Mt. 6:12). First, the very idea that a person must forgive others in order for God to forgive him was totally new. It was a shocking concept, an eye-opener. It had to be explained. Second, the very idea of forgiveness is just what it says: it is forgiving. God knows that He cannot forgive an unforgiving heart. His nature of love and justice will not permit Him to indulge in sin and give license to the passions of a person’s unforgiving spirit. He can forgive only where the mercy and tenderness of forgiveness are found. Therefore, Christ had to teach the basic principle of prayer—forgiveness. 

Study Questions:

• Love is unconditional, yet forgiveness is not—is this truth hard for you to swallow? 

• Is it hard for you to forgive others? Yourself? 

• Is there someone toward whom you are bitter right now? Determine to forgive that person and ask God to help you to forgive. Free yourself from the enslavement of an unforgiving spirit.