Day 11: Forgiveness and Healing
Day 11: Forgiveness and Healing
“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.” - Matthew 6:14-15
In this text, Jesus is in the midst of the Sermon on the Mount, filled with the radical beliefs of kingdom living which often times feel “upside down” — You die in order to live. You become humble to become great. You turn the other cheek to the one who has hit you. Here, Jesus is saying something radical about the nature of forgiveness. Forgiveness is taking someone off the hook of your hurt! Forgiveness cuts both ways. If I am not forgiving, I will not be forgiven!
“Mercy isn’t just the job of the Christian. Mercy is the mark of the Christian.” – Tim Keller
“Mercy isn’t just the job of the Christian. Mercy is the mark of the Christian.” – Tim Keller
Prayer Focus:
LORD, I recognize that mercy cuts both ways. My forgiveness of others opens the lines of grace for me to be forgiven. Show me where I am stuck in the bondage of bitterness and help me experience the freedom of releasing others into the hands of your justice.
Reflection:
Who do you need to forgive, and how can you seek healing in your relationships? Can you name them? Who is at the top of your list? Start there!
Posted in 21 Days of Prayer