If you remember, several weeks ago, in the miracle of prayer – Part 1, we learned prayer is a miracle in itself. It is the cord that connects us with God.
The very next week, we discovered that within the Lord’s Prayer were two distinct sections, intentional and significant, in that order. Part 2 reveals God, in all of His holiness. Part 3 moves into the “us” section, where we ask and God provides.
But there is a final and critical Part 4 we cannot overlook. This is where the miracle of forgiveness is found.
Let’s look at the whole prayer again.
The Lord’s Prayer
From Matthew 6:9-15;
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
“Forgive lest you be forgiven.”
As Jesus moves us through the structure of this prayer, He shows us this last, critical piece; the hard part, the forgiveness part.
Within the prayer, Jesus teaches us to ask God to forgive us, as we forgive others. This forgiveness releases a miracle, leading us out of temptation and sin. That’s when God saves us. Through forgiveness, we are set free.
If you have ever experienced this overwhelming forgiveness from God, you know what I am talking about.
Why is it so important we forgive in order for God to forgive us?
“The Message reads this way; “In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.”
Unforgiveness actually becomes a block. A barrier which keeps us from experiencing all that God has for us. Unforgiveness at its core is actually unbelief.
Unforgiveness is unbelief in disguise.
Remember a few weeks ago, when we talked about keeping everything in perspective and in a right order? “God first, then us.” People struggle with forgiveness. Maybe you think you are not worthy of God’s forgiveness, because of the awful things you have done. Somehow, you think you do not deserve God’s forgiveness. Actually, you are making this about you, not about God. You are making God small. Keep it in perspective. God first, then us.
Maybe you just cannot let go of what that person did to you. You think, by forgiving them, you are letting them off the hook. However, if you have ever experienced forgiveness, you know, freedom follows. By not forgiving, you are withholding God’s love from that person. Has God ever withheld His love from you?
Ephesians 4:32 says; “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
God has already forgiven us. He forgave us through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. When we forgiven one another, we are mirroring God’s great love to the world.
If we believe, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life,” then it is our obligation to love as Christ loves us. Forgive, as we have been forgiven.
I know I may be in over my head here, because quite frankly, I don’t know what kind of issue, person or situation you might be struggling with. I understand on a deep level how hard it is to forgive someone who has hurt you. Forgiveness does not mean you have to go face that person. Forgiveness is between you and God. God does the work. That’s why it is a miracle. We cannot do it. God has to. This is the miracle of forgiveness.
Today, I want to encourage you to seek forgiveness through God. Ask God to forgive you and equip you to forgive others. Believe God is qualified to handle anything you send His way. Embrace the miracle of forgiveness and experience the freedom that follows. Understand that when we do this, we reflect God’s love to the whole world. We become the miracle. Praise be to God!
Let us pray;
Holy and gracious God, forgive us and equip us to forgive others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
P.S. Leave me a comment below because I love hearing from you. Forward this message to a friend and/or share on Facebook and tag me in it. Hugs. -M
5 thoughts on “the miracle of prayer (or the miracle of forgiveness) Part 4”
This is a beautiful message Melissa!
Brian, thank you. I hope you are doing good. Thanks for reading. -M
Thanks Melissa. This forgiveness business is key. I need this constantly as I am tempted to withhold forgiveness and when I do, it shows I am listening to Satan rather than God.
Perry Moorefield
I know Perry. This is a tough one but with God all things are possible. Thanks for reading. -M
Amen. Peace and Love!