April 13, 2023 - Mark‬ ‭11:25-26

“And whenever you stand praying, if you find that you carry something in your heart against another person, release him and forgive him so that your Father in heaven will also release you and forgive you of your faults. But if you will not release forgiveness, don’t expect your Father in heaven to release you from your misdeeds.”” Mark 11:25-26 TPT

Lord, we thank you so much for forgiving us, even when we have caused you pain. You are so amazing. Help us learn from you and follow your example. Show us anywhere in our hearts that we are holding offense against anyone. Help us offer forgiveness even to those who have caused us a lot of hurt. Thank you that forgiveness doesn’t mean that the action was ok, it only means that we will no longer allow that negative action to control us.

This verse is so heavy, Lord. If we are not walking in forgiveness with others, you won’t forgive us. Wow. That is a hard one to swallow. Help us not to make excuses with all the reasons why we should not or cannot forgive. Lord, with you it is possible. It is a choice we must make. And it might be a choice that we have to make again and again. You can give us the strength needed and show us how to do that.

Also give us the wisdom to know how to follow up forgiveness. Forgiveness doesn’t always equal trust. Sometime that is the farthest thing from wisdom and not what you are asking of us. Help us know how to walk in forgiveness. Help us to forgive before bitterness forms. If we have allowed bitterness to grow, help us forgive so we can be healed of it and walk in your freedom.

Lord, we thank you for walking with us and give us the strength needed to forgive when it is hard. Thank you for the freedom forgiveness provides.

In Jesus name, amen.