From Grudges to Grace
[Jesus said,] “Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” Mark 11:24-25
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God’s Word reveals what is necessary for effective prayer, and these verses point to the key of forgiveness. Although it is contrary to the world’s pattern, it is at the heart of the life Jesus calls us to. Christ explained that holding grudges proves detrimental to our oneness with the Father, hinders our prayers, and causes God to withhold forgiveness from us.
Our fellowship with God is restored through our own repentance and confession. Jesus provided for this through his finished work on the cross. He died so that we would be pardoned and restored to the Father. When we come to Jesus, he forgives our sins of the past and all the sins we will ever commit. But we who are forgiven much must love and forgive others much! Do you need to forgive someone today? What relationship needs restoration? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any areas where you need to practice forgiveness.
God is ready to provide the grace to enable us to forgive and to experience being fully forgiven ourselves. Then we will know the joy God gives as we move from grudges to grace and are ready for prayer.
Prayers:
OH, FATHER, help me to have a forgiving heart. I need to learn how to receive your forgiveness and how to forgive those who have wronged me. I don’t want to cause your presence in my life to be quenched because of unforgiveness. Create in me a free and forgiving spirit that sees others as you do, responds to them with your heart, and prays for them with your love.
Quotes:
May the Father of mercy grant to all of His children that deep contrition, so that they may be led into the blessedness of His presence and enjoy the fullness of His power and love.
Andrew Murray (1828–1917)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Leviticus 27:14—Numbers 1:54; Mark 11:1-26; Psalm 46:1-11 and Proverbs 10:23.
