MEDITATION:
Written by Winn Collier, a contemporary pastor, columnist, and author.
Liberators found the following prayer crumpled among the remains of the Ravensbruck concentration camp where Nazis exterminated nearly 50,000 women: “O Lord, remember not only the men and women of goodwill but also those of ill will. But do not remember the suffering they have inflicted upon us. Remember the fruits we brought thanks to this suffering—our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, the courage, the generosity, the greatness of heart which has grown out of this. And when they come to judgment, let all the fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness.” I can’t imagine the fear and pain inflicted on the terrorized woman who wrote this prayer. I can’t imagine what kind of inexplicable grace these words required of her. She did the unthinkable: she sought God’s forgiveness for her oppressors. This prayer echoes Christ’s prayer. After being wrongly accused, mocked, beaten, and humiliated before the people, Jesus was “crucified…along with [two] criminals” (Luke 23:33). Hanging with mutilated body and gasping for breath, from a rough-hewn cross, I would expect Jesus to pronounce judgment on His tormentors, to seek retribution or divine justice. However, Jesus uttered a prayer contradicting every human impulse: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). The forgiveness Jesus offers seems impossible, but He offers it to us. In His divine grace, impossible forgiveness spills free.
PRAYER:
Written by Cheryce Rampersad, contemporary Christian author and contributor to the ChristiansTT prayer website.
Today Lord, I forgive those who have done me wrong in the past and I forgive those who will do me wrong in the future. I release it! Every chain that binds me to negativity, hurt and pain will be broken. I curse it out and rebuke it and invite Your mercy into my heart. In Jesus’ Almighty name I pray, Amen!
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