Scripture Text: Mark 11:24-25
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Mark 11:24-25
God’s Word reveals what is necessary for effective prayer, and these verses point to the key of forgiveness.
Although it is contrary to the world’s pattern, it is at the heart of the life the Lord Jesus Christ calls us to do. Christ explained that holding grudges proves detrimental to our oneness with the Father, hinders our prayers and causes God to withhold forgiveness from us.
Our fellowship with God is restored through our own repentance and confession, The Lord Jesus provided for this through His finished work on the cross. He died so that we would be pardoned and restored to the Father. When we come to Him, He forgives our sins of the past and all the sins we will ever commit. But we who are forgiven much must love and forgive others much!
“May the Father of mercy grant to all His children to all His children that deep contrition, so that they may be led into the blessedness of His presence and enjoy the fullness of His power and love.”
- Andrew Murray (1828-1917)
Reflect
1. Do you need to forgive someone today?
2. What relationship needs restoration?
Remember
God is ready to provide the grace to enable us to forgive and to experience being fully forgiven ourselves. Then we will know the joy God gives as we move from grudges to grace and are ready for prayer.
Read
Matthew 18:23-35; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; James 2:13
Pray
Oh, Father, help me to have a forgiving heart. I need to learn how to receive Your forgiveness and how to forgive those who have wronged me. I don’t want to cause Your presence in my life to be quenched because of unforgiveness. Create in me a clean and forgiving spirit that sees others as You do, responds to them with Your heart, and prays for them with Your love.
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