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THOUGHT OF THE DAY
What first comes to your mind when you hear the word “Forgiveness?” Do you feel joy or shame, peace or stress? How has forgiveness marked the story of your life?
Praying for forgiveness might be hard. If this is the case, I encourage you to read and reflect on Luke 15:11-32. What do you notice about the father in the story? I think this text holds valuable rewards for anyone who reads closely. Look at verse 20, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Jesus tells us that while the son was still far away, the father ran a large distance to embrace his son. This means the father must have been waiting and watching every day in order to see his son returning to him. In the same way, God is waiting for us to turn and pray for forgiveness.
Although we often turn away and choose things other than God, He waits for us to come to Him. Better yet, He is the one that covers the distance to embrace us when we turn and ask for forgiveness. Friends, this is the heart of the Gospel. This ability to pray for forgiveness and receive it was won through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. This parable also tells us a really exciting thing about forgiveness: Forgiveness is a celebration! Not only can you be brought back into union with God, but this process is an exciting and celebratory event!
We all sin and miss the mark. The good news is that through Christ, we can be forgiven and brought back into union with God. Take at least 10 minutes to pray and ask God for forgiveness, forgive others and remember to forgive yourself. Forgiveness is a joyful opportunity! It is the chance to be reunited with the perfect, holy, and living God!
GUIDED PRAYER
Lord, help me love You with my whole heart. Thank You for the ability to speak with You and to be reunited with You through the blood of Jesus. I ask for forgiveness for those things I know I have done, and also the things I have done that I did not realize. Make me to be more like You. Lord, I thank You for the grace to come boldly to You when I have messed up. Thank You for forgiveness, I love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
REFLECTION
What did you pray for today?
How will you let this experience shape your interactions with others?
About this Plan
God works in us in many ways. He uses scripture, prayer, pastors, community, godly friends, and more. Each avenue can help transform us more and more into His image. As we dedicate our lives to Christ, He has made us new and continues to make us new.
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