Day 9: Forgiveness
Scripture:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:12-14
Prayer:
Dear God, forgive us our slowness to forgive others. Help us to approach others from the place of being dearly loved by you. When we have trouble forgiving, help us wade in by praying to even want to forgive. Help us to know you are our Lifeguard when the waves in the battle of forgiveness are strong. You know what you ask of us, and we thank you that with that request comes not only your power but also your experience in forgiving us. When we are tired and are remembering salt, and pain, and scars, surround us with your love so brightly that we unclench our hands from any shells of bitterness and lists of wrongs done to us and raise, instead, those emptied hands to you. Help us start with compassion, grow to kindness, and then increase to gentleness, patience, forbearance, and forgiveness. In forgiving others, help us to be set free just as your forgiveness of us sets us free. We praise your mighty name.
Reflection:
How will Jesus show up in my day today?
Do I have the eyes and ears to see and hear the wonders of his love and mercy?
How will I experience his grace? Will I see something miraculous? Something hope-filled that will transform me?
