The Lord’s Prayer isn’t just a model for how to talk to God—it’s a direct lesson from Jesus on how forgiveness works in your life. When you pray, “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,” you’re not just asking God for mercy—you’re committing to extend that same mercy to others. Jesus makes it clear: your willingness to forgive others reflects how well you understand the forgiveness you’ve received from God. Holding onto bitterness not only damages your relationships, but it also blocks your connection with Him.
Forgiveness isn’t easy, especially when the hurt runs deep. But Jesus shows that it’s essential—not just for others, but for your own freedom and spiritual growth. Whether you’re struggling to let go or wondering what forgiveness really looks like, understanding this part of the Lord’s Prayer can shift your whole approach to grace and healing. Keep reading for a deeper dive into Jesus’ words, how to live them out, and why forgiveness could change everything for you.
If you’ve ever recited the Lord’s Prayer, you’ve probably said these words without stopping to think deeply about them:
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” — Matthew 6:12 (ESV)
Jesus’ words here aren’t just poetic or spiritual. They’re a direct teaching about how forgiveness works in your relationship with God and with other people. Let’s break it down so it’s easy to understand—and more importantly, live out.
What Is the Lord’s Prayer?
The Lord’s Prayer is found in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. It’s a model prayer Jesus gave when His disciples asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.” It’s not just meant to be repeated—it’s a framework to guide how we approach God.
Here’s how it goes in Matthew 6:
“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.”
Notice the balance—Jesus teaches us to ask for what we need and to deal with our spiritual condition. Forgiveness is right at the center of that.
Why Forgiveness Is a Big Deal in This Prayer
Let’s focus on Matthew 6:12:
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
1. You’re Asking God to Forgive You
This part is pretty straightforward. You’re admitting that you’ve sinned—missed the mark—and you’re asking God to wipe the slate clean. In other words, “God, I’ve failed. Please have mercy on me.”
That’s a bold request. But Jesus is clear that it’s one we must make. Forgiveness is how we maintain a right relationship with God. 1 John 1:9 backs this up:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He ties your forgiveness from God to how you treat others.
2. You’re Committing to Forgive Others
Here’s the catch—and it’s huge. Jesus is teaching that your forgiveness of others is linked to God forgiving you.
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
That little word “as” carries serious weight. It means: “in the same way,” “in the same measure,” “just like.” In other words, you’re asking God to treat your sin the same way you treat other people’s offenses against you.
That’s sobering. Jesus even circles back to this point two verses later:
“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 6:14-15
This isn’t about earning God’s forgiveness through your actions. It’s about showing that you truly understand His grace by extending it to others. If you won’t forgive, it shows your heart hasn’t really been transformed by His forgiveness.
What Does It Mean to Forgive?
Forgiveness doesn’t mean you ignore the wrong. It means:
- You release the right to get even
- You let go of the bitterness
- You trust God to deal with justice
- You move forward without holding the offense over someone
Real-Life Example: Peter’s Question
In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus replied:
“I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
He wasn’t giving a number. He was making a point: Don’t keep count. Just keep forgiving.
Then Jesus tells the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:23-35). A servant is forgiven a massive debt by his king—millions of dollars in today’s terms. But that same servant turns around and chokes a fellow servant who owes him a few bucks.
The king hears about it and is furious:
“Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?”
That’s exactly the point Jesus is making in the Lord’s Prayer. If you’ve truly received forgiveness, you’ll show forgiveness.
4 Reasons Forgiveness Is Non-Negotiable
Here’s why Jesus emphasizes forgiveness so strongly:
1. God Forgave You First
You didn’t earn His forgiveness. He gave it freely, through Jesus’ sacrifice. (See Romans 5:8.)
2. Unforgiveness Blocks Your Relationship with God
Holding onto bitterness chokes your prayer life, your peace, and even your health. (See Mark 11:25.)
3. Forgiveness Heals You
When you forgive, you’re not saying what happened was okay. You’re just refusing to let it control you anymore. It’s freedom.
4. You’re Representing God’s Kingdom
As a follower of Jesus, you’re called to reflect God’s grace to others. Forgiveness is one of the clearest ways to do that.
How to Forgive When It’s Hard
Let’s be honest—it’s not always easy to forgive. Some wounds go deep. But Jesus still calls you to forgive. Here’s how you can start:
Step 1: Acknowledge the Hurt
You can’t forgive what you won’t face. Admit what happened and how it affected you.
Step 2: Decide to Forgive
Forgiveness isn’t a feeling—it’s a choice. You may not feel like it, but you can still choose to release the offense.
Step 3: Pray Honestly
Tell God everything—your pain, your anger, your doubts. Ask Him for help. Forgiveness is supernatural, and He’ll give you the grace to do it.
Step 4: Repeat if Necessary
Forgiveness isn’t always one-and-done. You might have to keep choosing it day by day, especially with deep wounds.
Final Thoughts: Live What You Pray
The Lord’s Prayer isn’t just a spiritual ritual. It’s a way of life. When you ask God to forgive you, you’re also agreeing to extend that forgiveness to others.
If you’re holding onto bitterness today, remember what Jesus said:
“Freely you have received; freely give.” — Matthew 10:8
Let the forgiveness you’ve received from God flow through you to others. That’s how His kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven.
Quick Recap
- Jesus links God’s forgiveness of you to your forgiveness of others (Matthew 6:12, 14-15).
- Forgiveness is releasing the right to get even—not forgetting, but letting go.
- You forgive because you were forgiven (Ephesians 4:32).
- It’s hard, but with God’s help, it’s possible—and freeing.
Keep Exploring
Want to go deeper?
- Read Matthew 18:21-35 to see how Jesus explains forgiveness in a parable.
- Study Luke 6:37 and Colossians 3:13 for more New Testament wisdom on forgiving.
- Journal: Who do you need to forgive today? What’s one step you can take?
FAQs – The Lord’s Prayer: Understanding Jesus’ Teaching on Forgiveness
1. What does “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” mean in the Lord’s Prayer?
It means we’re asking God to forgive us in the same way we forgive others. Jesus is teaching that if we want God’s mercy, we have to show mercy too.
2. Why did Jesus include forgiveness in the Lord’s Prayer?
Jesus included forgiveness because it’s essential to your relationship with God and others. You can’t be in right relationship with God if you’re holding unforgiveness in your heart.
3. Does forgiving others really affect how God forgives me?
Yes. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus clearly says that if you don’t forgive others, your Father won’t forgive you. It shows that your heart hasn’t truly received His grace.
4. Is forgiveness just saying “it’s okay”?
No, forgiveness isn’t pretending something didn’t hurt. It’s choosing to release the offense and trust God with the outcome. You don’t have to say the wrong was okay—you just let go of the desire to get even.
5. What’s the difference between forgiving and forgetting?
Forgiving means releasing the debt and refusing to let the offense control you. Forgetting isn’t required. You may remember, but you no longer let that memory fuel bitterness.
6. Can I forgive someone even if they don’t say sorry?
Yes. Forgiveness is between you and God. You can choose to forgive someone even if they never apologize. It frees you, whether or not they change.
7. How do I forgive someone when I still feel angry or hurt?
Start by being honest with God. Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. You may need to pray for the strength to forgive daily until your emotions catch up.
8. What if I don’t feel like forgiving someone?
You don’t have to feel it to do it. Jesus calls you to forgive because it’s right, not because it feels good. Over time, obedience often leads to healing.
9. Why is forgiveness such a central part of Jesus’ teachings?
Because the heart of the gospel is God’s forgiveness of sinners. If we follow Jesus, we must live out that same grace toward others.
10. What’s the best way to live out this teaching on forgiveness daily?
Check your heart regularly. When someone wrongs you, ask God to help you forgive quickly. Make forgiveness a habit, not a one-time act.
