Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 7:12
The fourth thing that Jesus teaches us in His prayer is to seek God’s forgiveness for our sins. For some of us, that’s a once-a-week prayer. For some of us, it’s like every two minutes. We need to acknowledge our “missing the mark” and ask God to forgive the sin in my life. This should be a regular portion of our prayer.
I don’t know where you may have missed the mark, but we need to confess to God and seek His forgiveness. If we confess, God will forgive. It is over. It is done. It is finished. It is gone. You are washed clean. You are brand new. Here’s what the Bible says.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Now, we can’t stop there. Jesus also lets us know that we need to be forgiving those who have sinned against us. This can be difficult. How can I forgive what this person said, or what this person did? We need to offer grace and mercy just as God offers grace and mercy to us. In our “human-ness” this is impossible, but through the power of the Living God that is in us, we can put away any slight done to us in a spirit of love.
Are you hanging on to any baggage that God has already taken from you? Are you still seeking God’s mercy and grace while keeping score against someone in your life? What is God showing you today?