Mark 11:25 “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Hoarding offense and unforgiveness forms a thick black cloud separating us from divine interaction and intervention. Prayers cannot penetrate through the canopy of unforgiveness and offense. Life is too short to be spent brooding over hurts and insults. One of the underlying reasons for unforgiveness is pride. Those who are unable to forgive others are presumptuous and have forgotten the mercy that the Lord God has lavished on them. They live under the false presumption that judgemental spirit is discernment.
We do not forgive the offender because they are unworthy of our forgiveness. They might never repent or even ask for forgiveness yet, we forgive them to uproot the root of bitterness that will poison our soul. On a measuring scale the wrongdoing of a trusted friend, spouse or colleague is like a tiny dot as compared to the innumerable and repetitive offenses that the Lord has pardoned for us over and over again. His mercy reaches to the skies!
Jesus is the perfect epitome of forgiveness. He forgave those who had zero regret for their actions. He forgave the slanderers, the mockers, the persecutors and the executors who hung Him on the cross. If Jesus can forgive, we can too. From the tons and tons of forgiveness received from the Saviour extend a spoon full to the offender.
When we stand in prayer it is pertinent to search through our heart and see if there is any offense against anyone that is hindering our prayer. Make a resolute decision today – “No one and nothing can offend me”.
Refuse to be offended:
- Blocks: Offense blocks our prayers and disables the hand of God to bless us. His hand cannot extend favour unless we clear the black cloud of offense.
- Barrier: Offense is the barrier to blessings. Anger, animosity and unforgiveness block heaven’s door.
- Bites: Offense is like a snake in your lap. It bites, stings and poisons the soul. Offense shuts the door to heaven. Prayers will bounce back if offense is hidden in the heart.
It is not worth carrying offense. Be quick to forgive.
Prayer: Dearest Jesus, give me your heart to forgive the offender and wipe away the memory of the offense with your blood. Amen
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