Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Keeping a Prayer Journal

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”  Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times… Matthew 18: 21-22 NIV

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 NIV

 Relationships are built on trust and forgiveness. This dynamic truth is seen when broken trust is mended by forgiveness. Every time we sin we refuse to trust God’s way and we break God’s trust in us. This broken relationship is set right only by our Lord’s willingness to forgive our sins. Our practice of forgiving others flows from the freedom we receive with forgiveness from God. Difficulty in offering forgiveness indicates an unrepentant heart towards God, a block to living in a free forgiven state. God encourages us to come to him with a trusting heart seeking his forgiveness and match his forgiveness for others. When we are generous in forgiveness, God frees us from grudges, anger, pain and bitterness.

 Use your prayer journal to grow your spirit for forgiveness. Mark two columns in your journal:

•       Request Forgiveness – Enter your mistakes for the day and pray for forgiveness hearing Jesus’ love for you. Listen for the Spirit to identify corrective steps of love that will help you stop repeating the same self-centered mistakes.
•       Practice Forgiving – Enter the hurts of the day and set the hurt aside. See this person through God’s loving eyes. Ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to forgive wholeheartedly.

Share with your family and small group how these steps are beneficial to develop your spirit of forgiveness.