For the Grace to Forgive Others
Forgiving Savior,
When we celebrate your arrival on Christmas, we are celebrating that you came to free us and forgive us. You did not come to condemn, but to save. Indeed, our every wrong has been washed away, and we stand faultless before you. Not on our own merits, but entirely on your efforts alone. Undeserving as we are, we are fully forgiven.
Too often, we find ourselves in situations in which we flat out refuse or are reluctant to extend that same grace and patience to others. We allow bitterness or resentment to creep into our hearts, and then, instead of getting rid of it, we nurture it and allow it to take root. Forgive us for our failures in forgiving others. Let your mercy to us be the catalyst by which we cast out whatever might be hindering us from forgiving others. Enable us to see others as you do, broken sinners in need of grace. Then, help us eagerly funnel your forgiveness to them as freely as you do to us.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.