What kind of prayer do you find the hardest? For many people, it’s confession; that is, owning up to God to the sins they’ve committed. If that’s you, then that means the hardest part of the Lord’s Prayer will be what comes next.
The next sentence in the Lord’s Prayer comes in two parts: ‘Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us’. There’s so much here to think about that we’ll look at it over two blog entries; the first part this week, and the second part next week.
It’s pretty obvious that we live in a broken world, and not one God intends or desires. News programmes are full of stories of conflict, violence and racism; for example, and as well as those kinds of problems, there are some we know about personally, especially in our relationships. If we’re really honest with ourselves, we have to admit that we sin. We do things God does not want us to do and we don’t do things He does want us to do. The truth is everyone needs forgiveness because sin separates us from God; it breaks our relationship with him.
Jesus came to do what we can’t do ourselves, that is, to save us from our sin. For all those who believe and trust in him, Jesus’ death on the cross brings forgiveness and restores our relationship with God. Forgiveness is always available because God is full of love and mercy for us.
God knows all about us, including when we sin. So why do we need to ask for forgiveness?
Confessing our sins, as the Lord’s Prayer encourages us to do, is like opening up a channel between God and us through which his forgiveness can flow. As long as we’re really honest and not just saying it, the blockage is removed and we can be restored.
Once we have owned up to God, we can be sure we have the forgiveness we need so no guilt remains. If there’s anyone we might have offended or hurt, we may need to ask for their forgiveness, too, if that’s possible.
Although it is a good thing to look back regularly at our lives to see if we have offended God in any way, we have to be careful not to tie ourselves in knots over this so that we feel guilty all the time! After all, if we look hard enough, there will always be something to confess. God doesn’t want us to be a constant state of fear over hidden sin. So, it is best just to be open to the Holy Spirit, and let him point out what needs praying about. Pricking our conscience, giving us that feeling that we’ve done something that’s not right, is the way He does that.
If there’s a sin you already know about, something the Holy Spirit has already shown you, then confess that. Receive God’s forgiveness; thank Him for his love and mercy; ask Him to give you strength not to do it again.
