12And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors...14For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:12,14-15)
Thoughts: Listen to the call of God to pray for forgiveness. God is indeed the gracious kind forgiver. But He also wants us to pass that forgiveness on. In fact, Jesus' teaching is that if we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us. We are more in debt to God than others are in debt to us.
The parable of the unmerciful servant and the gracious steward have to play here. The unmerciful servant was condemned for not forgiving another a much smaller debt. The gracious steward was merciful and commended for striking off the indebtedeness of another.
So prayers of confession are not that meaningful if we do not confess to each other. Prayers of forgiveness are not that helpful unless we forgive others. To listen in prayer here is to listen to the call to forgive others and think of who we need to forgive, and then make forgiveness known to them.
Prayer: Lord, help me to forgive. Let me hear your voice calling out to forgive me and calling me to forgive others.
The parable of the unmerciful servant and the gracious steward have to play here. The unmerciful servant was condemned for not forgiving another a much smaller debt. The gracious steward was merciful and commended for striking off the indebtedeness of another.
So prayers of confession are not that meaningful if we do not confess to each other. Prayers of forgiveness are not that helpful unless we forgive others. To listen in prayer here is to listen to the call to forgive others and think of who we need to forgive, and then make forgiveness known to them.
Prayer: Lord, help me to forgive. Let me hear your voice calling out to forgive me and calling me to forgive others.
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