Matthew 6:12 TPT
Forgive us the wrongs we have done as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us.

MATTHEW 6:14‭-‬15 AMP
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  15 But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.

There is a very important part in the Lord's prayers Jesus has taught us that he reiterated after he finished saying it. It is regarding his call to us to release forgiveness to others.

The amplified Bible explains clearly in Matt 6:15 on why it is important to forgive others. It says that when you do not forgive others, you are nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God. How very true this is!

When we hold on to Unforgiveness, it is because we are still hurt, angry and upset with what the person had done to us. We feel injustice and betrayed. Unforgiveness itself comes along with a whole baggage of negative memories and emotions. It is poison to our soul and it will begin to consume us.

There is a limit of how much our heart and emotions can bear. When you are filled with unforgiveness and other negative feelings that come along, you have little room left to experience good and healthy emotions.

Moreover, God is holy. Those whose hearts are pure, they shall see God. (Matt 5:8). Psalmist David said in Ps 24:3-4a who may ascend into the hill of the Lord ? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.

That is why it is so important for us to release forgiveness to others so that it will not hinder us from entering into the Holy of holies to enjoy God's presence.

Jesus recognized that we will constantly need to release forgiveness to others for the wrong they have done and we need to receive forgiveness from God for the areas we have failed to please Him. In fact, he explained that it is so important for us to forgive because when we do not forgive, we will also not be forgiven by God.

If you are still holding on to any hurt and unforgiveness, release it and let it go. We have no right to hold on to unforgiveness. Yes, the person may have done nothing to deserve our forgiveness, just as we have done nothing to deserve the forgiveness from God. Yet, God has freely forgiven us and cancelled our debt to pay for our sins, giving us instead the gift of salvation and eternal life.

Therefore, just as we have received forgiveness from God, we must forgive others. It will also set your heart free from hurt and give room to God to fill you with His love, righteousness, joy and peace.

Prayer:
Father, forgive me for holding on to unforgiveness. I make a decision to release forgiveness to all those who have hurt me. Let not my relationship with You be hindered. Lord, make my heart pure that I may  enter into Your holy presence each day. Amen.

With love & blessings,
Hazel Ashley