Forgiving Others

Matthew 6:7-14 “And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors;
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

This wonderful prayer is a part of my every day. Many followers of the Lord know it by heart, but I also love the verses preceding it and following it. Jesus tells them that the Lord knows we need before we ask Him, but He still wants us to ask. He still wants us to humble ourselves and ask for His help. We don’t have to say lengthy prayers, but we should remember to approach Him with what is on our hearts whether that be praise, song, burdens, requests, and give it to God.

We are also challenged to forgive those who have wronged us, those who hate us, or those we hate. Perhaps the greatest way of breaking down the hate and anger in our hearts is to pray for God to have mercy on someone else who has wronged us or we feel strongly opposed to. Why should the Lord forgive us if we ourselves have an unmerciful heart. Did not Jesus share a parable (Matthew 18) of the man who was forgiven a great debt by the king, but then went would not forgive the smaller debts of those who owed him? The king was angry with the man and threw him into prison. Our Lord and King asks us to forgive those who have wronged us. We should strive to pray for our enemies that God would show mercy to them, forgive them, and help us to show love of Christ.

Matthew 18:33-35 “‘and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”