What Does the Bible Say About Prayer?

Ask for Forgiveness

As we continue in prayer, we are told in Matthew 6:12, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Although some Bible versions use the word trespasses, the use of the words debts and debtors encompasses a much wider area of consideration. Typically, we think of this verse with the word trespasses in mind referring to sin. However, when using the word debt it includes financial dealings (Matthew 18:23-35; Romans 15:26-27) and God’s grace toward us (Proverbs 22:26-27; Luke 7:40-43; Romans 4:4-5; Romans 8:12).

Whether it is money or sin, God expects us to forgive people as we have been forgiven by Him. However, Paul writes something about forgiveness as Christians when it comes to money in 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 as follows:

(1 Corinthians 6:1-8 KJV) “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? (2) Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? (3) Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (4) If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. (5) I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? (6) But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. (7) Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? (8) Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.”

Paul rebuked the Christians at the church in Corinth because they were suing each other in heathen courts instead of taking these issues to the church where Matthew 18:15-20 can be used to come to a decision. He asks in 1 Corinthians 7-8 why they do not allow themselves to be “defrauded” in the matter. Using this term, he is referring to something of value being taken from them by someone else. In other words, Paul is pointing out that they are more concerned about collecting their debts than forgiveness.

This still happens today, Christians suing each other over stuff that will burn in the end. We live in a society that promotes suing someone if there is a possibility of making money in the process. Unforgiveness gives way to vengeance and desire to make someone “pay” for their mistake. When we do hold this attitude, we are demonstrating that we are unforgiving and not allowing God to handle the situation (See Romans 12). Instead, we are called to forgive one another as Christ has forgiven us in all things (Luke 6:36-37; Ephesians 4:32; 2 Corinthians 2:10; 1 John 1:9). This includes not just offenses of deeds, but also in things of value.

Likewise, our attitude of forgiveness should be used to draw people to Christ, not push them away. If we really think about it, all of us owe our lives to God, the least we can do is give of ourselves in service to others for Him (Romans 12:1-2). Matthew 6:14-15 brings this concept to our prayers for forgiveness and for the strength to forgive others as a living sacrifice to God: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: (15) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”