Key 4: Forgive Others

Key 4: Forgive Others

Another  vital key to answered  prayer is our  willingness to truly forgive others.  Frankly,  our loving Father  in heaven simply does not hear those who come to Him in a spirit of revenge, bitter- ness or hatred.  Immediately after giving us the “Lord’s Prayer”—the outline prayer describing the proper basic approach  to talking with God—Jesus went on to instruct  His followers: 

“If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father  will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their  trespasses, neither  will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14–15).

The prophet  Isaiah was inspired  to warn us not to come into God’s  presence  while oppressing others,  accusing others  or being wrapped up in serving only the self. He wrote: “If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness” (Isaiah

58:9–10).

Jesus gives us the same admonition:  “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there  remember  that  your brother  has something  against you, leave your gift there before the altar; and go your way. First be reconciled  to your brother,  and then  come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23–24).

So we need to come to God in a humble, repentant  and forgiv- ing attitude.  Otherwise,  as Jesus said, God will not forgive us! A spirit of humility  and mercy is a key element  in whether  or not God will hear us as we pray. His inspired  Word tells us: “But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite  spirit, and who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:2).