LIFE SCRIPTS

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Mark 11:24‭-‬25 NIV

Verse 24 of this passage can’t be read in exclusion. Verse 25 also must be factored in. A unforgiving heart suffocates effective prayer. Yes, belief is crucial in any prayer exercise. However, before I exercise it, what is the condition of my heart? We go through life encountering pain and struggles. Many times we face failure and misfortune coupled with rejection. We struggle to make ends meet, we struggle to build friendships around us, we struggle in our marriages…all these challenges leave a bitter taste in our mouths at times forcing us to hate people and even hate ourselves. But God’s word reminds us to forgive…it might be difficult yes but as long as we seek guidance from the Holy Spirit, He’ll make it possible for it to happen. Some of us are struggling with forgiving those who’ve long left us. Forgiveness is not an option in our Christian walk. It’s an obligation. Just as Christ stated in the Lord’s prayer, we ask God to forgive us in the same way we forgive others. The story of Joseph of Genesis gives us a glimpse into a forgiving heart. Though battered, bruised and banished by his blood brothers, he chose to forgive them acknowledging that God used the situation for their good. So today as I come before God in prayer, I must ask myself if I’ve forgiven those who’ve wronged me…they might not have asked for forgiveness…infact they might still be hostile and militant against me but as I approach God in prayer, my heart must be right with God. Yes it may be hard and may even be a process but taking that step to desire to forgive is a good starting point. Say this prayer with me:
Lord, forgive me for not being forgiving. I know that there are people who wronged me whom I’ve held in my heart in unforgiveness. Help me to forgive them. Fill me with your Spirit who’ll prompt me to release the bitterness within. I pray this in Jesus Name. Amen