Forgiveness

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your wrongdoing. (Mark 11:25)

Powerful words, to say the least.

But how often do they cross our minds as we pray?

If there’s one thing that Jesus makes crystal clear, it’s that our horizontal relationships with each other have a definite impact on our vertical relationship with God.

We cannot separate the two.

And if we don’t make every effort to make things right with those who have wronged us, it will cause a block in our relationship with God.

After all, how can we say, “I can’t forgive that person,” and then say in the next moment, “God, please forgive me.”

Is it always easy to forgive? No. More often than not, it can be extremely painful to do.

But the good news is that we have a High Priest that intercedes for us, and he will help us forgive if we’ll just ask.

And so if when you’re praying, you remember someone that you have yet to forgive, pray, “Lord have mercy on me. And help me forgive.”

Better yet, pray, “Lord have mercy on this person that has hurt me.”

And by his grace, the One who forgave his enemies (including us) on the cross, will give us the ability to forgive those who have wronged us.