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Father, forgive

 Father, forgive

“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).”

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, a part of the prayer included forgiveness. “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors (Matthew 6:9-13).” In biblical times, debts required full payment within seven years. Any unpaid debt in the expected timeframe provided the creditor a choice to forgive the remaining debt, have the person imprisoned, take the person’s property for the value of the debt or enslave the person or his children to relieve the debt. One way or another, the re-payment of debt occurred. Most debtors begged their creditors for forgiveness.

In addition to teaching about forgiveness, Jesus, our Wayshower, practiced forgiveness. One of the greatest examples of forgiveness was his crucifixion on Calvary. During his physical pain and public humiliation, he was considerate of others and requested that his Father forgive his persecutors. Jesus crucified his ego and need to be right. Instead, he manifested the Fruit of the Spirit and demonstrated love to those who hated him, blessed them that cursed him, did “good” to them who did evil to him, and prayed for them who persecuted him (Matthew 5:44).

Jesus forgave those who appeared to be his enemies and requested that God forgive them because he knew their ignorance. He realized that they did not understand the Divine idea of sowing and reaping. His persecutors were not aware that what they did to Jesus; they did to themselves. They were not conscious of their oneness with Jesus and God. They dehumanized Jesus; therefore, they were able to slaughter him like they did the animals (Isaiah 53:7).

Using the Prayer Tool of Writing and Journaling as symbolized by the pencil, write a letter of forgiveness to someone that you may need to forgive whom you are not able to contact due to death or distance.

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