Peace to you, dear children of God!Thank God for the day He has given us. Thank God for the opportunity to abide in His Word, fellowship with Him and draw from His power, strength and wisdom.We are still talking about the model of prayer Jesus left us. We saw that effective prayer includes such elements as worship and thanksgiving, cooperation with God and petition.Confession of our sins before God is another element of effective prayer. I call this element „a step towards inner healing”. God cleanses and heals us from inside out. And one of the most important elements leading to the inner healing is confession of our sins before God and forgiving of other people’s transgressions.
«And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors» (Mathew, 6:12).
When we come to God in prayer, we must confess our sins and ask Him to heal us. Such a prayer brings healing and deep inner cleansing.«If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness» (1 John, 1:9).
After confession God not only forgives us, but also cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Sin is poisonous and destroys person’s life. Every time a person sins something dies in him – whether he believes it or not. Sometimes it is person’s consciousness that dies within him. God’s Word says that wages of sin is death.But every time when someone deliberately comes to God and confesses his sins, something comes alive in him. The more you come into God’s presence, the more you are filled with His life. We confess to God all the things the Holy Spirit convicts us of and ask God to forgive us.We can also ask forgiveness for other people that have hurt us and have something against us.«Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled» (Hebrews, 12:15).
Unforgiveness is the bitter root that makes us fall short of the grace of God. The Bible says that God forgives you if you forgive your offenders.«And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses» (Mark, 11:25-26).
Many problems and unanswered prayers occur because of lack of forgiveness. Some people think that the main thing is to have relationships with God and the rest is not as important. It is not so. It is impossible to live on this earth and not interact with people. Therefore, by giving and receiving forgiveness we build relationships with one another and that helps us get healed not just spiritually, but also physically.Let’s not block God’s grace and the blessings He has prepared for us through our unforgiveness.I wish abundant God’s blessings on this day!He is good – always!Pastor Rufus Ajiboye
