When you’re praying to God it’s a real conversation—you’re communicating with God. Consider the Model Prayer for instance.

Matthews 6:12 says this, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

If you recite the Model Prayer, you’re asking God to forgive you as you forgive others. So, what if you don’t forgive others, is God obligated to forgive you? Mmmmmmm.

According to the request in today’s verse, forgiveness is as forgiveness does.

Your request obligates God to forgive you based on your practice of forgiving others.

Forgiving freely and often, positions you to freely receive God’s forgiveness often. However, an unwillingness to forgive means—well, you get the picture.

Your words are powerful. When you talk to God, be sure to pay close attention to what you're saying. Don’t say anything you don’t mean and mean exactly what you say. Remember that God really does know your heart and He will deal with you accordingly.

Freely forgiving opens the doors to being freely forgiven.

Forgiveness is as forgiveness does.