And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

(Mark 11:25 ESV)

But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(Matthew 6:15 ESV)

I was talking to a friend last night. We were just catching up and the subject turned to forgiveness. My relationship with my dad was never the best. He was a hard man to live with and I will just leave it at that. I knew I needed to forgive him but he has gone to heaven. So how do I forgive him? He isn’t physically here anymore.

It doesn’t matter. Forgiveness isn’t for him. It’s for me. I needed to forgive him so I could move on. 

God doesn’t want us to hold unforgiveness in our hearts. He wants us to forgive people even if they aren’t here anymore or if you have lost contact with them. God wants us to hold forgiveness in our hearts. He wants us to readily forgive whoever wrongs us. 

Can you do that? I know it’s hard. I’ve had to forgive several people even knowing they are no longer here. 

My heart is clear. How about yours? Is your heart clear? Do you hold forgiveness or unforgiveness in your heart? I encourage you today to think long and hard about people who have wronged you. Can you forgive them? I really hope you can. Once you forgive them, repent for holding unforgiveness for so long. I think you will feel better. I know I did.

Have a great day, everyone. 

Kathy Keller
Writer and Prayer warrior with Answers2Prayer Ministries
If you would like to receive daily inspirational messages from Kathy Keller, click here  and put “devotional” in the subject bar.