Today is the last day of the prayer challenge.  Before opening your Bible ask the Lord to guide you in your study and to soften your heart to any truths you be resisting.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”  (Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV)

Jesus spoke these words after He said “amen” in verse 13.  It is the second time He mentions forgiveness in the ten verses we’ve been studying.  I believe this is a cue to us to sit up and pay attention.  God takes forgiveness seriously and so should we.

Lets revisit the parable of the sower. Read Matthew 18:21-35.  What did the master do for his servant? (v. 27)  What then did the servant immediately do? (v. 28)

The servant had a wonderful opportunity to pay forward the goodness that was shown to him.  But instead, he immediately finds a man who owes him money and demands it.

What is similar between the servant and the second fellow, what do they each ask for? (v. 26, 29)  How does the servant respond to the second fellow? (v. 30)

Both men owed more than they could pay.  The first servant was shown mercy but refused to show it to another.  How have you been shown mercy?  Are there people in your life that you’ve been demanding of when you should be giving mercy?

When the master found out about what happened between the two men what did he do?  How is he similar to our God?

Read Mark 11:12-14, 20-26.  In order to have whatever you ask when you pray, what must you do? (v. 24)

Jesus cursed a tree and caused it to wither.  He told His disciples they could cast a mountain into an ocean.  He said that they could have whatever they asked for and I don’t think that it is a coincidence that these seeminly impossible tasks are mentioned just before Jesus gives instructions on how to pray and forgive.

Forgiveness, when attempted through human strength, can sometimes most times be impossible.  Especially when the offender has done something downright heinous.  But if God is willing to grant us the power to move mountains and wither trees, isn’t He also willing to give us the power to forgive?  Isn’t He willing to show us how to be less demanding and more merciful?

Please respond to what the Holy Spirit may be speaking to you now.  Take the time to pray, asking him to soften your heart to the person or people you are unable to forgive.

Lord, once again I pray that You help me to forgive.  I am demanding and far from merciful.  I don’t know how to change.  Nor do I have the power to do it, but You do.  Please God, change me!  Soften my heart!  Make me less demanding!  I believe that You will grant me the power to forgive and be more merciful.  I ask for this in Your name, amen.

My hope is that this prayer challenge and Bible study has blessed you, that during the last eight days you have become more comfortable talking with your Lord and Savior, and you simply know Him more.  I encourage you to continue seeking Jesus throughout 2015 and beyond.

Please remember to always seek the Lord and His truths.  Never just take my thoughts as fact.  Open your bible, pray, and listen to what the Holy Spirit is speaking to you.

Only by Grace,

Kelli

P.S.  Feel free to leave a comment or two.  I’d love to hear from you.  What is happening on your walk with God?

Did you miss a day or two in this prayer challenge?  Find all the posts in this series here.