When You Pray; FORGIVE.

By Br David Msebele

When You Pray; FORGIVE.

Many of us are surprised when we do not receive answers to our prayers. We end up backsliding and disbelieving God and His great promises.

 The subject of prayer is extensively dealt with in the bible and our Lord Jesus Christ also explained clearly and convincingly how and when we should pray.

One issue that comes out clearly from Jesus Christ’ teaching on prayer is that we should forgive when we pray.

It goes without emphasis that God will not forgive us our sins if we do not forgive others.

It is futile to pray to God while we harbor unforgiveness, if we are not forgiving, God has no obligation to answer our prayers because we are not right with him. 

Unforgiveness is a hindrance to prayer.

So God will only work with forgiving people. If we embrace forgiveness in all we do we, God is ready to reciprocate that and forgive us our sins. 

In any case, who are we not to forgive, when Christ sacrificed his life for our redemption?

Many Christians have had bad experiences, some have been wronged and disappointed by friends, relatives and close colleagues but no matter the pain and the scare we ought to forgive when we pray.

Today I say to you, Jesus Christ told us and is telling us; let go off the bitterness, let go off anger, let go off unforgiveness. 

Your prayer life must be supported by the spirit of forgiveness and God will certainly answer our prayers as he promised in his word.

We are supposed to forgive one another and ensure that we strive for righteousness at all costs. Righteousness entails embracing the will and character of God. Righteousness is the right standing with God and you can’t stands right with God if you cannot forgive.

In Ephesians 4:32 the Apostle Paul exhorts us saying, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”.

Brothers and Sisters forgiveness is not a choice, it’s a must and we ought to forgive as Christ forgave us.

Forgiveness is the true reflection of love. Jesus Christ is the best example of forgiveness when he came and laid down a perfect example for us when he was here on earth. 

God will only begin answering us if we seek him diligently. God will hear your prayers when we pray and forgive. May God search our hearts such that when we pray we are able to forgive.

God bless you.