Teach Us to PrayNäide

CONFESSION/FORGIVE ME

I will never forget the time I heard the most radical forgiveness story I have ever heard. I was visiting the Monroe Corrections facility, where I met an inmate who was just on fire for Jesus. I asked how and when he met Jesus, and he shared that he was in for first-degree murder and that the victim's mom asked to visit him in prison. She came and told him that she forgave him for killing her son. He, in return, asked why on earth she would forgive him after what he had done. She replied since Jesus forgave me, so must I forgive you. It is what Jesus commands me to do. This obedience and forgiveness propelled him to want to know more about Jesus and who He was. Eventually, he found Him and received him as his Lord and Savior!

The gift, the power, and the freedom of forgiveness are mind-blowing. Another prisoner named Paul shared with the Church in Colossae, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” This mom lived this scripture out, which has had a massive ripple effect in the Monroe Corrections Facility.

Regarding forgiveness, fasting can catalyze a deeper understanding and experience of God's forgiveness. Fasting can help us humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our need for His forgiveness and mercy. It can also help us examine our hearts and identify areas where we may be holding onto unforgiveness towards others.

So today, as we pray and fast, we meditate on 1 John 1:8-9.

We confess, ask for forgiveness, and walk in His freedom to extend forgiveness to others. God will ripple our forgiveness to influence others for His Kingdom.

- Jeff Shaw