Freedom through Forgiveness

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"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 (ESV)

Lately, I have seen our Heavenly Father connecting the dots for me on this heavy subject of forgiveness. My immediate reaction was "Not me, Abba Father, I'm good. Let's move on to my special prayer life and how I'm helping others through intercession." Ha! Actually, today, I planned to write a blog post for this devotional focusing on the topic of forgiveness, to help others. Hmm. But our Heavenly Father had other plans.

Totally unrelated, during morning prayer at the pregnancy center where I volunteer, the morning devotional was about forgiveness. Uh oh. I get it. This topic must be really important, and not only that, but super important for ME. I felt that the Lord was definitely making a point. He wants me to let go of anger, malice, bitterness, resentment, and a bucketful of other negative emotions. And once my heart is swept clean, He will teach me more about forgiveness.

As a matter of practice, before I write any devotional, I research Scriptures that reference the topic. This morning, I specifically searched the topic of forgiveness on my Bible app. Interestingly enough, Gospel writers Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Paul wrote an admonition to their readers, actually cautionary advice, about forgiveness. Pretty important advice, and they all said not "IF" you forgive, but "WHEN" you forgive. So, since Scripture is God-breathed, this research into His Word humbled me a third time in less than twenty-four hours.

Can you relate?

And in their own style to their respective audiences, each Gospel writer explains that forgiveness is a two-part process. First, the external piece happens. You forgive others in your family, your church, your circle of friends, your work buddies, your neighbors, the woman who cut you off in traffic, the rude guy in line at the grocery store. We are to forgive everyone their trespasses. Second, the internal piece happens. We make the act of forgiveness an honest, consistent habit, as we make a mental correction to our thought processes. THEN, our Heavenly Father forgives us and gradually transforms our hearts to be more loving like Him.

Keep in mind, I have not said anything out loud to the list of people in the preceding paragraph - well, except to close family, maybe. My heavenly Father knows my heart better than anyone else. And He alone knows that I need to forgive others because I am as imperfect, sinful, stubborn, and rebellious in His eyes, as they are.

Feeling convicted by Abba Father!

Gospel writer Matthew shared the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV): "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. BUT, if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." In Matthew 6, Jesus spoke to the Apostles, teaching them to remain humble, to forgive each other, and to pray in secret. He taught them to use simple, heartfelt language, not showy big words in public. He also assured them that our Heavenly Father sees and hears their prayers.

How do you pray and seek forgiveness?

Do you pray silently, in your prayer closet? Or do you pray aloud with family members in the evening or around the dinner table? Or do you repeat and pray words from the Bible as your prayer? Or maybe you write out your prayers because your words as you seek forgiveness are too painful to speak. Jesus said our Heavenly Father knows what we need before we ask Him. The key point is that our Heavenly Father wants us involved in the process of forgiveness. As we pray for wisdom and strength to forgive others, we must also ask Him to forgive our sins.

Will you join me and pray the Lord's Prayer?

The Lord's Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV): "Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Questions for Reflection:

1. Often, as we pray, our Heavenly Father will highlight something or someone to us. What issues were highlighted to you as you prayed the Lord's prayer and asked for His forgiveness?

2. How might using the Lord's Prayer as a model or example change the style of your own prayers about forgiveness?