A Daily Devotion for Friday, July 2

Matthew 6:9-15

”This, then, is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdoms come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.‘

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

If I am false, and pretend to be kind and forgiving, but in my heart hold on to bitterness and anger, what can I expect from God? I know I have been forgiven all of my past sins, and so I know I must do likewise. I believe when I accept God’s forgiveness I am at the same time promising to forgive others. Maybe this is a better way for me to understand these words. Forgiveness involves God, always. It is tied to God. I love that these words were first spoken by Jesus, and now we can speak them ourselves. I would love to hear/learn them in the language Jesus spoke.

Lord Jesus, you are here for us still, teaching and leading us to you. Thank-you. You are mighty and powerful, yet able to speak to us today in our own simple language. Help me to be forgiving, to let go of each resentment before giving them a second thought. Amen

Becky, transforming