The bible is clear that when we pray God desires a genuine heart of dependence within the supplicant. Jesus teaches in this petition that forgiveness is granted through a prayer of a sincere heart with repentance and a faith that God will actually forgive. Without trust in God's grace and mercy one can speak the words asking for forgiveness, but without a genuine faith that God will forgive, the prayer is void.
"And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." [1 John 5:15]
"This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth." [1 Timothy 2:3-4]
