In the model prayer which Christ gave to his
disciples, he linked together the divine and the human forgiveness.
While we pray to God to forgive our countless and enormous sins—we
are taught to extend to others who harm us in little ways—the same
forgiveness which we ask for ourselves. Let us keep no bitterness in
our hearts for a moment. Let us put away all grudges and all
ill-feelings. Let us remember the good things others do to us—and
forget the evil things. Then we can pray sincerely, "Forgive us—as
we forgive others." If we cannot do this, I do not know how we are
going to pray at all for forgiveness.
