[Jesus said]: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
The Lord’s Prayer has its feet firmly planted on the ground! It talks about our everyday life, and here it faces up to the horrible but undeniable fact that sin forms a big part of our lives. But here’s the good news: through our faith in Jesus, sin is no longer an overwhelming problem. Before
we met Jesus, sin defeated us, but now, through His death on the cross, we can be completely forgiven.
God’s forgiveness is a wonderful gift but, if we are willing to receive it, it places a huge responsibility on us. We have to share it. This is the tough bit. When we are deliberately wronged, everything in us cries out for justice, if not retribution. We want the perpetrator to be punished. But
the Lord’s Prayer reminds us that just as we received forgiveness as a free and totally undeserved gift, we now need to pass it on to others. CS Lewis wisely commented:
“Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive.”
Forgiving others rarely involves words. Forgiveness is something which happens in our hearts and expresses itself in our attitudes and actions. When someone has wronged us, our forgiveness will be shown in the kind and thoughtful way we respond to them when we next meet. Our loving words will show that we have truly forgiven them and moved on. There’s nothing easy about forgiveness, but it’s the way of liberation. It’s the way to find life in all its fulness.
Question What has been your own experience of forgiving others?
Prayer Lord God, give me strength to pass on Your gift of forgiveness. Amen

Released on 12 Nov 2026