Why is forgiving others important in the Lord's Prayer?

Forgiveness holds a central place in the Lord's Prayer, particularly in Matthew 6:12 where it states, 'And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.' This verse emphasizes the reciprocal nature of forgiveness in the Christian faith. It teaches that, just as we seek God's forgiveness for our sins, we must also extend that same grace to those who wrong us. The importance of this is underscored by Jesus’ remarks that if we do not forgive others, our heavenly Father will not forgive us. This highlights the gravity of harboring unforgiveness; it can sever our relationship with God.