A Prayer About Forgiving Others

When I have been wronged

DEAR JESUS,

While repeating the Lord’s Prayer recently, your Spirit highlighted the phrase, “Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” The little word as means, I think, “in the same way.” So I’m asking you to forgive me in the way that I forgive—scary thought. But what if I flip that and forgive others the way you forgive me? I admit my tendency to get even or, at least, hold on to my resentment when someone has hurt me. Forgiving without expecting a response costs me the satisfaction of revenge or proving my point. It’s tough, and I resist. But you tell me to be generous in forgiving those who sin against me. Then I remember the sin debt you cancelled for me—totally unearned and undeserved. Even on the cross you forgave those who were crucifying you—me included. In light of that boundless love and grace, how can I consider withholding mercy and grace to those who have wronged me? Please help me love others the way you love, Savior. Help me forgive.

Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. . . . If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:12, 14-15