7 ‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 ‘Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one.
14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
This has always been a very powerful scripture for me. Particularly the last verse, “15but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” I want forgiveness for all the wrong things that I have done and all the things that God has asked of me that I have left undone. I know that I do not deserve forgiveness, but I desire it.
This verse tells us that God expects for us to forgive. True forgiveness may be the hardest things that God ever asks of us. When we are hurt, it does not feel natural to forgive. It is not the human way. We can look around at people in our lives and see that many people don’t forgive, but we are called to be different, holy. God commands us to forgive those that hurt us.
Forgiveness does not mean that we have to forget any part of our lives. In fact, all of our experiences make us who we are and God can use all of our experiences to his glory if we allow him. Forgiveness does not me that we are to put ourselves in a situation that is harmful to us. Forgiveness means that we let go of the harmful emotions that we harbor in our hearts. We stop reminding ourselves of the pain that someone has caused us. We let go of the idea that we need to punish or alienate them. We see the other person for what they are, a child of God in need of grace. We acknowledge that we too are a child of God in need of grace. How can we desire mercy without being willing to grant it to others?
If there is someone in your life that you have not forgiven, take the time to heal your heart. Allow God’s grace to make you whole and extend that grace to them. Forgiveness is much more about your heart than the other person. Unforgiving feelings stand in the way of having your best relationship with God. God wants the very best for us and that is why he commands us to forgive other. In this day, may you find healing and forgiveness.
God bless,
Pastor Mandy