The Lord’s Prayer: FORGIVE EVERYONE; Even you!

We are looking at the Lord’s Prayer. This is Jesus teach us how to pray. (Matthew 6:9-13):

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.

 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one’

“Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us”

Forgiveness is a huge part of prayer.  Just after the Lords prayer, Jesus states this:

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

That is an incredible statement about relationships, forgiveness and sin. If the Lord’s Prayer teaches us to pray daily, then also, every single day, we must present our sins to God (Not over and over, but just the previous day’s mistakes if you’ve not confessed already).  We Lay it all before Him asking for forgiveness.

1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Once you’ve done all that – Thank Him that He has forgiven you! Then forgive yourself!

Forgive everyone that has sinned against us.

Perhaps this is the harder of the commands on forgiveness. When someone has hurt us deeply this can be difficult, but it is necessary, as Jesus says we will not be forgiven, if we do not forgive others.  As I heard a preacher say recently, “Remember that unforgiven people don’t get to heaven!” Yikes! Time to forgive everyone – ourselves, our enemies, our friends and family. Then we will in turn, know His forgiveness.

The Process of Forgiveness

I always think true, heartfelt forgiveness is a process when the hurts and offences are big. Personally, I start by speaking and voicing my forgiveness for people, (sometimes through gritted teeth!). Slowly my “gritted-teeth-forgiveness” starts to soften, as I pray blessing on those who have attacked, accused, lied, hurt me or let me down. Then in time, my heart starts to feel love for them again. It’s a process!

From the cross Jesus said “Father forgive them”. We must be like Jesus and forgive all who offend us.

I declare that I am forgiven by God, and I choose to walk in forgiveness! His mercy is new every morning, and His grace covers me completely (Lamentations 3:22-23). Because I have received His abundant mercy, I will extend that same mercy to others.

I chose to release every hurt, every offense, and every bitterness. I refuse to let unforgiveness take root in my heart, for I am called to love and to forgive just as Christ forgave me (Ephesians 4:32).

 I will not repay evil for evil, but I will bless those who have wronged me (Romans 12:17-18). I trust in God’s justice, and I chose to let go of every burden, knowing that He is my defender.