Lord, please forgive me.
Jesus’ model prayer includes a petition that seeks God’s forgiveness. The appeal is connected to debts, a word that means, “to have an obligation.” The obligation could be financial or moral. In Jesus’ teaching on prayer, it’s moral. Jesus affirms this should be a part of regular prayer life.
Sin is an offense against God and places the sinner in obligation to Him. The offense demands judgment. It requires forgiveness for the judgment to be averted. Christ paid the debt for sin when He died on the cross (Col. 2:13-14). Praise to the Lord.
Our ability to forgive is based upon the realization that we have been forgiven. It is a contradiction for us to seek God’s forgiveness for offenses against him and then withhold forgiveness to others for offenses against us.
As we seek to take the gospel to all nations, tribes, peoples, and languages, we must model the forgiveness we have received. This is the constant refrain in the life of Christ-followers.
Who in your life today needs your forgiveness?
This week, let’s pray:
“Father, I want to confess my sin to you and seek your forgiveness. I am thankful that Christ’s work enables me to be forgiven. Give me daily grace to forgive those who sin against me.”
