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Listen while you read: "Standing At The Portal Of The Opening Year"1 (Lyrics)

Matthew 6:14-15 – For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (KJV)

As Christians, what a tremendous challenge is presented to us in the prayer which our Lord taught the listeners of His day. We sometimes repeat the Lord's Prayer so glibly, without fully considering the responsibilities of our words or thoughts. Jesus indicates that unless we honestly forgive those who trespass against us, our prayers are without value; they are meaningless, and they do not have any results.

How would this approach of forgiveness reflect upon our character? Perhaps it would show itself in the form of kindness and gentleness, and even patience might become part of our personality. Loved ones and friends may recognize the change and question the reason. What an opportunity to simply say, "I have been seriously studying the Lord's Prayer." I do not believe for one moment that Jesus would have made the suggestion if it could not be possible. Do we have the courage, the determination, and the desire to take this new commandment (new to some of us) and endeavour to live it out in our lives in this New Year?

May we take the time today not only to look backward over the past year, but also to look forward into the coming year to see all the possibilities for this personal change.

Prayer: Our gracious heavenly Father, without Your help, we can accomplish nothing. At the very beginning of this new year, enable us to forgive past hurts. Although they will, of course, rise up in our memory, with Your help may we begin to pray for the one who has hurt us so deeply in the past. Is this possible? May we discover that with Your help, the impossible is always possible with our God. Amen.

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About the author:

Vena Poole
(deceased)

1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Amen to your prayer!


    Vena what a wise devotional. Thank you.


    Awesome challenge Vena! Thanks, Blessings.


    Thanks for the challenge Vena. Happy New Year.


    Amen! Very good devotional to start the New Year, Vena. Thank you.
    All the best for Health and Happiness to you and your loved ones throughout 2013.


    Forgiving is one thing. What are your thoughts on forgetting?
    Thanks for your Devotional and for serving Our Lord!


    If only we could carry out this one scripture, “forgive one another” our problems would be less, our burdens lighter and the new year ahead would begin a new era in our lives.


    Thank you Vena. Not enough is said about the way we pray. A lot of it is in self. Give love, care kindness, forgiveness and smile without conditions every day; you’ll find there is no better way in which to serve the Lord. God Bless.


    Dear Vena:
    What a great reminder as we face the first day of this New Year!
    A great reminder also of our dependence on our Holy Spirit!
    Moment by moment we are kept in His love!


    We wish you all Happy New year with lot of prayers & with lot of happiness with lot of Love.


    Dear Venna,
    I am in tears. I have been holding a gruge.
    I feel a lot of anger in my heart.
    Thank you so much for your devotional and Happy Blessed New Year.


    Thank you for sharing these words. Just yesterday I was dwelling on how I can truly forgive people who have brought pain to me. I think I forgive, but then I’m bitter. So, even though painful events may come back to my mind, I want to be able to say “God, let me truly forgive and not dwell on it. Let me not be bitter, but forgiving and patient instead. Help me be the person you have design me to be!”


    Good Morning Vena:
    Your words “Our gracious heavenly Father, without Your help, we can accomplish nothing” are so very true. Only our Lord and Savior could be kind, gentle and loving enough to pray for those who murdered Him and also for we who sent Him to that cruel cross, unbelievable.
    The song “A wonderful Savior Is Jesus My Lord” is so true. I just pray as we begin a New Year He will give me the strength and conscience to live as He would have me live, a loving, kind and forgiving person displaying His character wherever I go.
    We have such a marvelous Lord.
    Thank you for another wonderful devotional. Short but certainly thought provoking.


    Vena, Thank you for sharing this with us. I believe we all need to take the time now to reflect on the words that Our father gave to US and Pray Again. Thank you and may God continue to bless you this New Year 2013.


    Thank you Vena for a very challenging devotional. It does one good to be reminded often to pause and think of the words in our prayers. And the Lord’s prayer is especially one in which a person should pause and consider what one is saying and asking and committing to. Mealtime graces are also ones that need to be said slowly and Deliberately.

 



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