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Matthew 6:9-13

Over the first ten days of this fast, have you received any more clarity about the story you want to tell in 2024? The truth is, if you have God-sized dreams for this year, the journey is going to be tough. Especially if you let bitterness from your past weigh you down.

Unforgiveness is heavy, so forgiveness is just as much for you as it is for the person you are forgiving.

According to Scripture, forgiveness should be a daily practice in our lives. In the passage you read today, Jesus gives us a template for prayer. In verse 12, He invites us to say, “Forgive us our debt as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).

We love remembering that God forgives us. But it’s important to remember that God also calls us to forgive others.

Asking God to forgive us is the easy part; turning around and offering that same forgiveness to other people is the tough part. Especially when someone really hurts or offends you. Forgiveness is counterintuitive. It's a lot easier to stay bitter, but if you want to get better and live a story worth telling, you have to follow the example of Jesus and forgive.

Forgiveness isn't easy, but it is one of the most freeing things you can do.

Who is one person you need to forgive today? Take a moment to pray for that person. Pray that God would bless them and provide for them. Then, if it’s safe to do so, take one action step to help fix that relationship in your life. Send them a text, give them a call, or come up with some creative way to let them know you forgive them.

Prayer

Father, forgiveness isn't easy. I pray that you would remind me of the great lengths you went to and the things you went through to offer me forgiveness. Would that truth empower and embolden me to turn around and forgive this person in my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.