A Week of Prayers- FORGIVENESS
A Week of Prayers
by
Bryan Craig
THURSDAY- Forgiveness
"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." Matthew 6:12 NIV
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This verse indicates that we should have already forgiven those who owe us "debts" BEFORE we ask for our "debts" to be forgiven by God. In some translations, the word "debts" is translated "sins". Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. I like the word "debts" because it helps us understand Jesus' heart on this. Have you ever owed a great debt, and someone said, I am forgiving this debt. You don't owe it anymore. If you have, you will know what a blessing and a relief it is. Similarly, when we extend forgiveness to someone who has sinned against us, we give them a great blessing.
When we sin, it is as if we are borrowing against the grace of God. We owe Him a debt, yet He is willing to forgive us. But Jesus says if we expect God to forgive our sins, we must forgive others.
"If you do not forgive men their sins, Your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:15 NIV
Lord, examine me right now and tell me if I'm harboring any unforgiveness in my heart. I want to be a man of peace and a man of forgiveness. Lord, help me become this kind of man. Jesus, I marvel at how you could ask the Father to forgive the men who abused you unjustly and crucified you on the cross. Yet, You said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they are doing." Lord, I should have this attitude. If someone offends me or hurts me, they may not know what they are doing. They are deceived by the enemy or they would not act as they are. They may not know You and Your mercy and grace. Lord, forgive me for my many sins and the sins of my forefathers. I sent You to that cross, and I'm so sorry.
Father, forgive our country for turning away from you, for profaning Your name, for pulling out of leadership and allowing the anti-Christ agenda to infiltrate society. Forgive us for being legalistic and judgmental instead of speaking the truth in love. Forgive us for not being the spiritual leaders of our families and our companies and our churches. Lord, forgive us for our many sins...our sexual perversion, our deceitfulness, our greed, our selfishness. Lord, forgive us for not loving others the way You love us.
Lord, I know many of my brothers and sisters are in bondage. They don't think they can forgive someone who has hurt them. Help them see how they are only hurting themselves and how they are causing separation from You. Help set them free as they turn their hurt, anger, heartbreak, revenge over to You. Lord, You are the Judge, not us. Help my fellow Influencers find freedom TODAY. Help them look to You from their cross and say, "Father, forgive them. They didn't know what they were doing." This is a supernatural act that requires Your Spirit's help. Help them please.
In Jesus' name, Amen.