Sun 9:30a Class; 10:30a Worship; 11:35a Communion
Bible Bites
Forgiveness First
“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” (Mark 11:25)
The first command before praying is ‘forgive’. Forgiving others is the preparatory act before prayer. Like sharpening an axe before cutting down a tree or stretching before an athletic competition – these acts of preparation save us time, injury, and can make the difference between success and failure. If you want your prayers to be heard, you best take a long look at whether or not you have forgiven those who have wronged you.
And as a reminder – this is a command from Jesus, not a suggestion. A command can’t be dismissed simply because we don’t feel like following it. We can’t rationalize away Jesus’ command by saying that the hurt is too deep or that the person is undeserving because there are no deeper wounds than the ones we inflicted in Him, and there is none more undeserving of His mercy than the person you see in the mirror.
Whenever you stand praying – forgive. Check your heart for weights before you jump into the deep water of conversing with the Father. And if you are having a hard time forgiving… pray about that first.
