Matthew 6:12 (NASB) says, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

With the passing away of Charlie Kirk, we have seen the growth of church attendance and the increase of the sales of Bibles all across America. We have witnessed courage become contagious, in particular in high school and college students who long to see revival sweep over their campuses. The fact of the matter is revival is happening right now! God has truly taken what the enemy has meant for evil, turned it around and made it good!

During the memorial, in my opinion, one of the most powerful moments took place that I have ever witnessed to date. It wasn’t just 60,000+ people worshipping the King of Kings together, nor government leaders in this country proclaiming the identity, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ! All of those things were absolutely incredible and moving, but it was when Erika Kirk forgave the man who killer her husband, the love of her life! Prophetically, in that moment, something spiritual and supernatural happened! Chains were broken! It felt as though multitudes of people throughout the world had a heart that became tender to forgive those who have wronged them. God was working through Erika to pour oil on the wounds of a nation! This is how powerful forgiveness is as it was demonstrated firsthand with the world watching!

If God can forgive us of our sins, removing them as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12), and Jesus, while hanging on a cross, could say, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34), then we can forgive others. Forgiveness is so powerful because it not only demonstrates the love God has shown us and extend it to others, but it brings freedom! It removes the entrapment of guilt and shame to the offender, and then we make the decision to no longer be held back by the bondages of bitterness. As the saying goes, “Unforgiveness is like a poison you drink expecting it to hurt someone else.” While they may go on and live their lives like nothing ever happened, an unwillingness to forgive will still hold you back from stepping fully into the potential of the kingdom of heaven for your life!

Asking God to “forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors” is part of the infamous LORD’s prayer, and, in context, is connected to having “heaven on earth.” Bitterness can rob us of the grace of God necessary to function with a kingdom heart and mentality. Holding grudges never benefits anyone, period! Therefore, we are called to do the right thing, and that is to forgive. Forgiveness is justice in the kingdom of God, not vengeance! Let’s make the decision today to operate in the power of forgiveness so we can be who God has called us to be and help others encounter the love of God in a supernatural and powerful way!