Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. Prov. 17:9 Dear Lord Jesus, rarely does the phrase “cover-up” do anything but raise suspicion, eyebrows, and ire. We recoil when we experience the manipulation of facts, the minimization of harm, and the muting of our voices, especially in the [...]
Tag Archives: forgiveness
A Prayer for Loving Well in Broken, Sticky Relationships
January 29, 2013 – 4:31 am
Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because [...]
A Prayer about Loving in Light of Jesus’ Second Coming
November 28, 2012 – 4:57 am
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as [...]
A Prayer about Seventy Times Seven Forgiveness
November 25, 2012 – 4:53 am
Then Peter came up and said to him [Jesus], “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 seven times, but seventy times seven.” Matt. 18:21-22 Dear Lord Jesus, I’m sure I’ve read this [...]
A Prayer about the Triumph of Mercy Over Judgment
November 18, 2012 – 6:14 am
So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:12-13 Dear Lord Jesus, my heart is overwhelmed today with a fresh awareness of your triumphant and daily mercy. [...]
A Prayer about Old Pain and the Journey of Forgiving
October 4, 2012 – 4:24 am
Then Peter came up and said to him [Jesus], “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.” Matt. 18:21-22 Jesus, I come to you right [...]
A Prayer for Apologizing without the “But’s”
September 27, 2012 – 4:57 am
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! (Ps. 51:1-2) He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the [...]
A Prayer about the Destructive, Wasted Energy of Resentment
June 27, 2012 – 4:06 am
The godless in heart harbor resentment. Job 36:13 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Eph. 4:31-32 Dear heavenly Father, whether it’s the annoying fly interrupting [...]
A Prayer about Revoking, Not Relishing Revenge
May 26, 2012 – 6:06 am
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Rom. 12:19 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice. Prov. 24:17 Merciful [...]
A Prayer about “Formerly Useless People” and My Small Heart
February 8, 2012 – 5:21 am
Accordingly, although I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly [...]
