Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:21-35.

Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Jesus teaches that there will be consequences for those who do not forgive. In His lesson the king tells the wicked servant “shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” This is not a request but a requirement.

Accepting God’s forgiveness obligates us to treat our brothers and sisters in the same manner. Forgiveness doesn’t mean we condone bad behavior, however it does mean we have a responsibility to show kindness and offer them the opportunity to change. We must reconnect with them.

Mending our relationship with God requires us to also repair our relationship with each other. We can’t love God and hate our neighbor. The forgiveness Jesus teaches is the way we begin loving the whole world.

Wise and wonderful God, we are grateful that You forgive when we have done wrong. Help us to forgive each other that we may live together in Your love. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:21-35.

Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

God’s mercy and forgiveness is given to us as a free gift. There is nothing we can do to deserve or earn it. If we are truly thankful for this blessing, we must respond in kind, offering our forgiveness to others without expectation.

If we require something in return in order to forgive others, we are not practicing the lesson Jesus taught. He told Peter and the disciples they must continue to forgive without concern for how many times they did. Keeping track of offenses only hardens our hearts.

This is so important that Jesus included it in the model prayer He taught us – “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matthew 6:12). Forgiveness frees both the offender and the one who was hurt from the burden. When we forgive others, we are both blessed.

Gracious God, in Your mercy we have been forgiven. Help us to live in Your light, offering our forgiveness to others and bringing all to the joy of a relationship with You. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:21-35.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Do you remember a time when you were forgiven something? Did it feel like a weight being lifted, something to no longer fear, relief? God is waiting to give us that feeling, only stronger than any earthly forgiveness could possibly be.

When we accept God’s forgiveness, we become a new creation, born to a new life. Some say it is being repurposed, but it’s really being put to our original purpose – to love God, love one another and make sure everyone gets to hear about the joy of that connection. Being forgiven clears our accounts, as the king did for the servant in our scripture this week.

However, God’s forgiveness creates a new obligation in our lives, to be part of His family and part of His work here. We accept a responsibility for each other when we are forgiven, a responsibility the wicked servant from the lesson failed. If we want to be truly forgiven, we must forgive all who have wronged us, carrying only the love of God in our changed hearts and lives.

Loving Lord, You have loved and forgiven us. Help us to love and forgive others that they may see the truth and joy that only a relationship with You can bring. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:21-35.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

This lesson on forgiveness has another point for us to consider – patience. When the king brings the servant in for the accounting, the servant pleads “be patient with me and I will pay back everything”. We learn that we must give each other time in order to make things right.

It is hard for us to change and we should not expect an immediate improvement. We must remember that Jesus is patient with us, watching the gradual growth in our lives. We must also be patient with the change in each other, knowing that we are all on a journey to become better people.

Forgiveness requires patience and understanding. We all need love and support to move forward on the path Jesus showed us. When we forgive each other and share the mercy Christ has taught us, we too become better children of the kingdom.

Loving Lord, we are grateful that You came for us while we were still sinners, giving us grace to change our hearts and lives and follow You. Help us to show the same compassion to our brothers and sisters, forgiving them as You first forgave us. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:21-35.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Peter asks a question that indicates he’s not quite to the point Jesus would hope for us. By asking for a number of times to forgive someone he shows that he still thinks in human terms of limits. While Jesus gives a number as an answer, He doesn’t want us to count or keep track at all.

Remembering how many times we should forgive someone shouldn’t even enter our thinking. Jesus gives us a lesson about this that uses money as an example, but the fact is that forgiveness covers much more than financial obligations. If we keep track of how much we forgive, we must also record how often and how much we have been forgiven.

Jesus tells us how this kind of thinking is inconsistent with the kingdom of God. Forgiveness is to be given freely because God in His mercy has forgiven us all our sins. Jesus doesn’t ask how many times we’ve been forgiven to determine if we’re still eligible, He just loves us all.

Gracious God, we are often petty in our dealings with each other, forgetting how much You love and forgive us. Help us to be caring to our brothers and sisters who need our love and forgiveness. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:15-20.

If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.

Jesus tells us when we gather in His name, He is with us. He knows the value of being together, the love and strength that are shared in fellowship. This whole scripture lesson is about resolving our differences and being together in unity.

The power that is available to us when we work together is amazing. God wants us to be able to accomplish great things and while we are all gifted individually, as His children united we are mighty through His love for us. When we join as the body of Christ, we live as God intended.

Putting aside our differences and the personal issues that divide us is the only way we can accomplish this. Jesus wants us to see each other as brothers and sisters, bringing His family together for the good of all. Gathering in His name on the Sabbath is the beginning of the great blessing of being one in Him.

Loving Lord, teach us Your ways. Help us to see we are all Your children and become the family we were intended to be. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:15-20.

If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.

Jesus is showing us that we need to watch over each other in love. It’s not so much a matter of correcting others – we have already been warned about that when He taught “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5). We have also heard “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” (John 8:7).

We often get wrapped up in our own understanding of who’s right and who’s wrong, and we stand firm in our opinions, forgetting what Jesus taught us. While we argue amongst ourselves, the problems we claim to care about only get worse and we end up pointing fingers and casting stones at those with whom we disagree. This passage instructs us to settle our differences peacefully and even when we don’t reach a happy conclusion, continue to love each other.

“Yes Lord, we understand, but they don’t, we know You are on our side” we say to ourselves. Jesus sadly shakes His head and tries once more to explain that the “sides” we make up so we can be “right” are diversions from the path on which He leads us. Instead of asking Jesus to agree with us, let’s agree with Him, following His teaching and sharing His love.

Gracious God, we are contentious creatures, seeking our own way instead of Yours. Help us to bear Your love to everyone everywhere, seeking the joy of our connection to You. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:15-20.

If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (v. 18). We have heard this before in a slightly different way in Matthew 16:19, where Jesus tells Peter and the disciples about the seriousness of the authority they are being given. Jesus is warning them (and us) that our decisions and actions have eternal consequences.

Whether we like it or not, the world views those of us who claim His name as the representation of Jesus. When we behave in un-Christlike ways towards each other it confuses the message He brought. The Apostle Paul writes “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

We may still disagree, but how we treat each other while we handle the issue is essential. Jesus charges us to love one another as He first loved us. We mustn’t let conflict distract us from the goal and responsibility with which we have been entrusted.

Gracious God, You created us in Your image, but we often fail to live into that blessing. Help us to be more like Jesus in our words and actions, loving each other as You love us. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:15-20.

If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.

Jesus has led us through progressively wider steps for restoring relationships in this lesson. He gives one last instruction for the process, saying “if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector”. That sounds like a hard break in the connection between the offender and the church, but I don’t believe that’s what Jesus had in mind at all.

During this process the offender has been approached with Christ’s love as a member of His body. If they refuse to see their error because of His love , we must treat them as one who doesn’t know Christ’s love – the tax collectors and Gentiles of that time. It is a double lesson to us that this statement appears in Matthew’s gospel, who was a tax collector when Jesus called him to be a disciple.

Jesus calls us not to shun them but to invite them (back) into the fellowship of believers through our love and acceptance. His love is not limited, and we are to love without limits as well. When someone places themselves outside the body of faith through their actions, it is only through love that they may be rescued.

Loving Lord, we are a people who say we love justice, but we often forget the love that must go with it, seeking to punish offenders as we think they deserve. Help us remember we are all offenders under Your law and the mercy we seek must also be the mercy we offer others. Amen.