Today’s prayer came to me last Friday morning, very soon after waking up. I welcomed it immediately, and went with its flow. It summarises everything I’ve been learning about God’s forgiveness over the last few weeks, and throughout my whole life.
As I mentioned yesterday (https://wp.me/p45bCr-dR3), being forgiven is a very difficult subject for me. I didn’t experience forgiveness as a child, and have never understood it, or been able to believe in it, or to feel it for myself, then move on. Fortunately, despite this, I can readily offer forgiveness to others.
How kind the LORD is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! (Psalm 116:5; NLT).
Yahweh,
You are merciful,
And kind.
So when I face my sins, Lord,
And repent,
And when I’m honest with those I’ve hurt,
And tell them what I’ve done,
And when I say I’m sorry, Lord,
And try to put things right:
Then, you forgive me,
Wiping out my sin;
Then, you remember
Each new wrong no more,
Loving me still, Lord,
Just as you did before.
He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever (Psalm 117:2; NLT).
References
If you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God (Matthew 5:23-4; NLT).
Forget the events of the past, ignore the things of long ago. Look, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth – can’t you see it? I’m making a road in the desert and setting rivers to flow in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:18-19; TIB).
He forgives all my sins (Psalm 103; 3; NLT).
Who am I? I’m the one who wipes out your offenses! For my own sake, I do not remember your wrongs (Isaiah 43:25; TIB).
I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins (Isaiah 43:25; NKJV).