Forgive
And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Mark 11:25 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/mrk.11.25.ESV
God doesn't forgive because we forgive. We forgive because we're forgiven. Hurt people hurt; forgiven people forgive.
If we don't forgive others, why would we expect God to forgive us? That would just be hypocritical. Our forgiveness might not earn God's, but it is an evidence that He has truly forgiven us
There's a debate as to whether we have to forgive people who don't want forgiveness. I think we do, or at least to be willing to forgive them, even if our forgiveness proves ineffectual. Jesus on the cross prayed 'Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they do'.
Personally, I think Jesus had in mind the executioner who declared that He was the Son of God, and the criminal who asked Him to remember him when He entered His Kingdom. If Jesus wants to forgive someone, they will be forgiven. If He sovereignly chooses not to forgive, forgiveness is withheld.
'Heavenly Lord, please help us to be always willing to forgive, even if those who wrong us don't seek forgiveness. Please forgive us, because of Jesus, in whose name we pray, amen'
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