Matthew 6:12
We have all wronged God and have individual sins that we need to confess before God. But notice again that the plea for forgiveness is in the plural. We are responsible for what each of us has done, but also for oppression, poverty, corruption, pollution, and other things that damage the world if we don't work to prevent them. When we ignore the call of God to action for God's people, we are committing a sin of omission, leaving the work of discipleship undone in the world.
Notice also that this prayer cannot be prayed by an intentionally unforgiving person. If we accept the unconditional forgiveness of God, we have adopted a lifestyle of grace. That means that while it is often wise to be cautious and realistic in our dealings with others, we need to be imitators of Christ. We need to offer others the grace that we have been shown by God, not holding anger or resentment against others. We cannot allow another's treatment of us to damage our Christian character.
If we pray this prayer sincerely, it is a commitment to follow the call of God wherever it may take us as we live in grace with one another.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times I've failed You and help me to show others the grace and forgiveness You have shown me. Help us to fight against evil in this world on Your behalf. May we live a lifestyle of grace as we forgive others, just as You have forgiven us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
* Devotion taken from The Sanctuary for Lent 2016 by Sue Mink
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