Dangerous Prayers
Dangerous prayers are those which release control over the situation and invite answers from God that may take us down paths we did not anticipate, want, or even appreciate. The only thing that makes these prayers dangerous, however, is our own sense of what is right and good. So, in reality, there is nothing dangerous about handing the reigns to God, who only works good for us… the best for us. In fact, the only danger is to not offer these prayers.
May 2, 2021 – “Help Me Forgive”
Human relationships are continually challenged by moments of offense and wounding. Often, these moments carry deep and lasting hurt, making the words, “I forgive you” seemingly impossible to think, let alone speak. Asking God for help in this area will not only release the person needing forgiveness, but the person who has been withholding the forgiveness as well. To not forgive someone is to drink poison and expect your enemy to die. Any reluctance to forgive disappears once we truly grasp how Christ has forgiven us. Sometimes this prayer is also accompanied by the prayer, “Help me forget.” However, sometimes remembering the sin makes the action of forgiveness that much more powerful.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Mark 11:25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Luke 23:34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Matthew 18:21-35 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
