🕊️ PRAY HERE Devotion 🕊️ “Forgive to Also Receive Forgiveness“

Scripture: Matthew 6:14–15 (NIV)

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Devotion: Let’s be honest, unforgiveness has haunted every one of us at some point.

Some of us are still upset with people right now.

Family members who hurt us…

friends who betrayed us…

exes who broke us…

coworkers, neighbors, even church members who offended us…

Whether you’re in church or outside the church, we are all called to be the light of the world and the example of God’s love.

But sometimes, if we’re real , we show less grace than people who don’t even know God.

We’ll shout, sing, and serve…

but still won’t speak to certain people.

We’ll pray for blessings, but refuse to let go of grudges.

And here’s where things get dangerous:

Unforgiveness is often overlooked in church culture.

Some try to cover it with service…

Some try to mask it with giving…

Others hide it under self-righteousness.

But the truth is,no amount of church involvement cancels out a heart that refuses to forgive.

If we don’t go to God when we’re hurting, we start to justify our bitterness.

We replay the offense in our minds,

we hold on to it like proof,

and before we know it, unforgiveness becomes a familiar friend we never planned to keep.

But Jesus…

Jesus gave us the perfect example of forgiveness.

He forgave Peter ;even after being denied.

He forgave Judas ; even though He knew the betrayal was coming.

He forgave the men who beat and crucified Him ;while He was still on the cross.

You may be thinking,

“I’m not Jesus.”

You’re right ; none of us are.

But Jesus didn’t just model forgiveness…

He commanded it.

And today’s scripture makes things unmistakably clear:

• If you forgive others, your Heavenly Father will forgive you.

• If you don’t forgive others, your Heavenly Father will NOT forgive you.

This is not optional.

This is not based on how we feel.

This is not dependent on whether they apologized or deserved another chance.

This is a command that directly affects our own relationship with God.

I don’t know about you,

but I need God’s forgiveness.

Not just today ;

but every day of my life.

So nothing and no one is worth forfeiting that.

Stop holding grudges.

Stop rehearsing old pain.

Stop allowing what someone did to you to block what God wants to doforyou.

Pray and ask God to remove the sting, the memory, and the weight so that you can be free to forgive.

Because no wrong done to you is worth your own forgiveness being withheld.

Prayer: Lord, help me release every person who has hurt or offended me. Heal the painful places in my heart, and remove anything that keeps me from forgiving. Teach me to walk in Your grace and extend it to others just as You extend it to me. I need Your forgiveness every day, Lord; so help me to forgive freely, completely, and sincerely.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.