December 17, 2023 - Luke 22:60-61

“But Peter was adamant. “Listen, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Don’t you understand? I don’t even know him.” While the words were still in his mouth, the rooster crowed. At that moment, the Lord, who was being led through the courtyard by his captors, turned around and gazed at Peter. All at once Peter remembered the words Jesus had prophesied over him, “Before the rooster crows in the morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”” Luke 22:60-61 TPT

Jesus, Peter was one someone who walked closely with you. Even still he messed up, denying you 3 times. Jesus, even with the pain of that, you forgave. You restored him and used him to do mighty things. For that to happen Peter had to forgive himself and accept your forgiveness. The moment where he looked at you and knew he failed, it would have been easy for him to walk away and never give you the chance to forgive him. He did mourn his actions, but he also rose above them and allowed you to forgive him.

Lord, we ask for you to help us learn to rise above our biggest failures. Show us any places where we need to forgive ourselves and accept your forgiveness. Help us silence any lies of the enemy that would tell us that we are not worthy, we need to keep punishing ourselves, or you won’t actually forgive this. What we did isn’t a shock to you. All we must do is accept what you are offering us.

Lord, we also ask that you teach us how to offer forgiveness the way that you do. Help us not to dwell on things, keeping the pain and offense fresh. Teach us how to let go of the pain, offer forgiveness, and allow you to heal us. Teach us how to extend love and honor to others when they don’t deserve it, like you do for us. Make us more like you, Lord.

In Jesus name, amen.