Prayer · Umkehr/Herz · AT

Prayer of Forgiveness Toward People (Mt 18)

Original Prayer

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Then Peter came up and said to him, Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times? Jesus said to him, I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Context (Old Covenant)

Word of Jesus (Matt 18), New Covenant standard of forgiveness: limitless, because we have been forgiven limitlessly.

What it teaches

Freedom; reconciliation; ending bitterness.

Realization in the New Covenant

In Matthew 18 Jesus teaches BEFORE the cross about forgiveness. The parable of the unmerciful servant shows:

  • ›You are forgiven an INFINITE amount (10,000 talents = unpayable debt)
  • ›In the New Covenant: Forgiveness is accomplished (Heb 10:14). You forgive BECAUSE you are forgiven, not SO THAT you will be forgiven.
  • ›NOTE: "So will my Father do to you", That is Old Covenant language! Before the cross. After the cross, forgiveness stands firm.
  • ›Forgiving is still important, not to "activate" God's forgiveness, but because unforgiveness holds YOU captive.
  • ›Forgiveness is a decision. Heart healing is a process.

Prayer in the New Covenant

Father, thank you that I am forgiven in Christ, unconditionally and completely. I choose to forgive. Heal my heart and show me next steps toward peace and truth. I won't hold on to what you have released. Amen.
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