"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

During my early school days I made a clay submarine in art class. It was placed in a kiln and fired hard and shiny. It looked like the real thing with the appearance of sea water on the hull. While it looked quite authentic, I still desired a couple of improvements, but it was hardened beyond change. 

The unforgiving heart is like a kiln to clay. While the Lord desires to forgive us and form us into something beautiful, a hardened heart gets in the way of the Master's handiwork. When our prayers come from a forgiving heart we evidence true repentance and are open to the transforming grace of God.

Our prayer life depends on the grace of God my friend. All that we ask of Him, from beginning to end, always comes from His marvelous grace. But when we are bitter and unforgiving we grow hard and hinder the work of that grace. Be a person of grace to others so you can be blessed by the grace of your heavenly Father.