Teach Us to PrayMuestra

FORGIVING OTHERS

Forgiveness isn't easy; it takes humility, grace, and faith. Oftentimes, people think forgiveness is about accepting what happened or simply to stop being angry. Instead, it's about a change of heart and behavior we demonstrate to a person who has wronged us and being able to forgive ourselves when we do wrong.

In Matthew 6:14, Jesus teaches, "If you forgive their transgressions, your Heavenly Father will forgive you." Later, Peter asks Jesus how many times someone should forgive and if seven times were enough. Jesus replies, "Seventy times seven!" Matthew 18:22 demonstrates the never-ending pattern in which we are supposed to forgive.

We are called to forgive anyone, no matter what they have done.

Here are a few things to think about:

• Where do I need to work on forgiving others?
• Are there people I have yet to forgive?
• Where do I need to release and receive my own forgiveness?

One way we can live out forgiveness is by remembering God's forgiveness of our sins, which is the ultimate example of forgiveness we should strive to duplicate.

Praying for the person who has caused you pain is another excellent example. Being able to ask God for help in forgiving others is a great way to overcome the inability to forgive and welcome God in through prayer. Understanding forgiveness guides us in forgiving ourselves as well. Some pasts are darker than others. With the Lord, all things can be done!

Lord, I pray that your Spirit will overwhelm the person reading this and that they will recognize any areas in their lives that they need to forgive others and themselves. May they ask in your holy name, Jesus, to forgive and be forgiven. Amen.

- Autumn Cannell