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

Meditative (Listening) Prayer

God, be merciful to me because you are loving. Because you are always ready to be merciful, wipe out all my wrongs. Wash away all my guilt and make me clean again…

You want me to be completely truthful, so teach me wisdom. Take away my sin, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow...

Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again. Do not send me away from you

or take your Holy Spirit away from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation. Keep me strong by giving me a willing spirit. Then I will teach your ways to those who do wrong, and sinners will turn back to you.

Psalm 51: 1-2; 6-7; 10-13 NCV

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, when my fellow believer sins against me, how many times must I forgive him? Should I forgive him as many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, you must forgive him more than seven times. You must forgive him even if he wrongs you seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22 NCV

Forgiveness is essential to relationships. It happens vertically when we ask for God’s forgiveness and horizontally when we ask for others’ forgiveness. In this way, we continue to do God’s will and bring heaven to earth. In a time and place of quiet today, ask God to cleanse your heart and then give you courage to admit your wrongs and ask for forgiveness from others.