A Prayer Of Forgiveness

Most of the time there seems to be a theme happening in my life that God is trying to deal with a certain area in my life and today and in the past that theme seems to be about forgiveness.

Forgiveness isn't an option but a command for a long and happy life. So in the end, the benefits of forgiveness outway what unforgiveness can do but that doesn't mean I have to like it but I choose life and it's my hope you will do and allow forgiveness to reign supreme.

God Bless.

A Prayer of Forgiveness

David C. McCasland

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27–28 Luke 6:27–36 1 Chronicles 13–15; John 7:1–27

In 1960, six-year-old Ruby Bridges was the first African-American child to integrate an all-white public elementary school in the American South.

Every day for months, federal marshals escorted Ruby past a mob of angry parents shouting curses, threats, and insults at her. Safely inside, she sat in a classroom alone with Barbara Henry, the only teacher willing to instruct her while parents kept their children from attending school with Ruby.

Noted child psychologist Robert Coles met with Ruby for several months to help her cope with the fear and stress she experienced. He was amazed by the prayer Ruby said every day as she walked to school and back home. “Please, God, forgive them because they don’t know what they’re doing” (see Luke 23:34). The words of Jesus spoken from the cross were stronger than the hatred and insults hurled at Him. In the most agonizing hours of His life, our Lord demonstrated the radical response He taught His followers: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you . . . . Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:27–28, 36). This remarkable approach is possible only as we consider the powerful love Jesus has given us—love stronger than even the deepest hatred. Ruby Bridges helped show us the way. Father, You have so graciously forgiven us. Help us today to forgive others who have wronged us.

Bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you.