Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:9-15)

I Won’t Do That: Will We Forgive As We Have Been Forgiven?

Matthew 6:9-15

● Why is God’s forgiveness such a primary concept in our life of faith? What thoughts / feelings come to mind when you imagine the Father running to meet the wayward child? What does that image teach us about God and God’s forgiveness?

● The other half of this phrase can be a little harder to pray: as we have forgiven others. Why does that part of the prayer have a tendency to stick in our throats? How are our forgiveness of others and God’s forgiveness of us linked? What are some dangers of failing to forgive others? How can we begin to move beyond those dangers and dwell in the fullness of the Father’s forgiveness ourselves?

Picture someone whom you’ve held a grudge against. Forgive that person as you pray, “Father, forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”