For Christians the model prayer, the prayer that Jesus gave in order to teach us how to pray, is called the Lord’s Prayer. In it we ask God to “forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors.” Some Bible translations use the word “trespasses” instead of “debts.” Both words stand for the same thing – sins or failures.
One of the most glorious facts about God is that He forgives us when we are genuinely sorry for both the wrongs we have done in the past and those in which we are currently involved. What we find easy to forget is that there is something we have to do in return for God’s pardon – we must forgive those who have hurt or injured us. Only then can we fully experience the joy of being forgiven by God. An unknown author expresses it this way:
“If an unkind word appears,
File the thing away,
If some novelty endears,
File the thing away.
“If some clever little bit
Of a sharp and pointed wit
Carries a sting with it,
File the thing away.
“If some bit of gossip come,
File the thing away.
Scandalously spicy crumb,
File the thing away.
“If suspicion comes to you,
If your neighbor isn’t true,
Let me tell you what to do.
File the thing away.
Do this for a little while
Then go and burn the file.”
A prayer for forgiveness is God’s prescription for gaining authentic peace. The petition in the Lord’s Prayer that asks for God’s forgiveness is also found in Ephesians 4:32 – “Forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Let me encourage you to attend church next Sunday. Join sincerely in the confession of your sins. Accept the assurance of God’s pardon. But, when it is received from God it must be given to others. Forgiveness is a two-way street.
The Paper Pulpit 
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