“So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Matt. 5:23-24).”
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in Heaven may forgive you your sins (Matt. 11:25).”
“Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, put on love- the perfect bond of unity (Col. 3:12-14).”
As we can see, Scripture is very clear (in a host of other passages as well) that forgiveness or the lack of it will affect every other aspect of our lives. If we harbor unforgiveness in our hearts toward someone, it can hinder our prayers (1 Pt. 3:7). When the Lord forgives us, we forgive others, or someone forgives us, there is immense freedom given and felt from the Holy Spirit. Let us be people who know what true and lasting forgiveness looks like in our own lives, but also in the lives of our missionaries. Let’s pray for the desire to have biblical forgiveness be an integral part in our everyday lives. We have been afforded the tremendous opportunity to pray with fervor, with forgiveness in our hearts, with the capacity to stave off distractions of all kinds, as we learn how forgiveness brings life-giving freedom and grace to our families, friends, and missionaries…all through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Let’s pray for hearts that understand forgiveness given by a truly loving God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forgiveness, for Your forgiving grace in Christ. Thank You that I have the opportunity to forgive others because You have forgiven me. I pray for (Your Missionary) to know and experience Your forgiveness so they have the capacity to forgive others and, most importantly, teach others about Your forgiveness in Your Son, Jesus. I pray that You would help me not harbor any unforgiveness in my heart. But instead, would always seek to have an attitude of forgiveness so my prayers for (Your Missionary) would never be hindered. Thank You in Jesus’ name, Amen!
