“If you forgive men their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you."
MATTHEW 6:14
God, being omniscient, already knows our needs before we express them. Avoid empty repetitions and long-windedness in prayer. What is important is our sincerity and faith in prayer and a more genuine, heartfelt communication with God rather than the quantity of words. Our own forgiveness hinges on our willingness to forgive others. It’s a powerful reminder of the reciprocal nature of forgiveness and the importance of empathy and understanding in our interactions with others.
7 Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 “This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name, 10 thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread; 12 and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; 13 and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 “If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 6:7-15)
In the heart's court, where judgments are made, transgressions of men, like shadows, cascade. Yet, if you forgive, let go, and set free, your heavenly Father's mercy, you'll see. But hold onto grudges, let anger reside, and forgiveness from above will surely hide. For as we forgive, we are forgiven too, a divine law, timeless and true. So, let your heart be a forgiving sea, for in forgiveness, we truly find the key to unlock the Father's mercy divine. In the act of forgiveness, love does shine.
Lord Jesus, in the quiet of this moment, I come to You, seeking wisdom, seeking strength, seeking truth. Help me to understand Your divine plan, to forgive others as only You can. "If you forgive men their transgressions," You say, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you, come what may. But if you do not forgive men, remember this, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions, in His bliss." So, I pray for a heart that's open and kind, a spirit willing to leave past hurts behind. Grant me the courage to forgive and forget, and in doing so, my own forgiveness be met. In Your mercy, guide me on this path so pure, in forgiveness, let my heart's love endure. In Your name, I pray, Amen.
This passage is a powerful statement about the authority and efficacy of God’s word. The word of God will not return to Him without achieving the purpose for which it was sent. God’s word is always effective and accomplishes His will. Just as the rain and snow cause the earth to bring forth life, so too does God’s word accomplish the purpose for which it was sent.
10 Thus says the Lord: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, 11 so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)
From the heavens, the rain and snow descend, their journey's purpose, they comprehend to water the earth, to make it thrive, to bring forth life, to help it survive. Fertile and fruitful, the earth becomes, feeding the sower, the bread he sums. Just as the rain, that waters the land, God's word is sown, by His own hand. From His mouth, His word takes flight, in the darkness, it brings forth light. It shall not return, to Him in vain but will achieve, what He has lain. Like the seed, that grows into wheat, God's word accomplishes, what it sets to meet. So let us listen, let us heed, for in His word, we find the seed.
Heavenly Father, just as the rain and snow from the heavens nourish the earth before to You they return, may Your word that goes forth from Your mouth achieve the end for which it was sent, we yearn. Make our hearts fertile and fruitful, Lord like the earth receiving seed from the sower. Help us to understand and live by Your word and in our lives, may Your will tower. Your word, O Lord, is powerful and true, it shall not return to You void. May it accomplish Your will in us and make our spiritual growth unalloyed. We thank You for Your word, so profound, may it in our hearts, always resound. In Jesus most holy name, we pray, Amen.
God is near to those who are experiencing deep sorrow or distress, offering solace and salvation to those who are feeling crushed in spirit. It’s a powerful reminder of God’s compassion and mercy, especially during times of hardship or grief.
4 Glorify the Lord with me; let us together extol his name. 5 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 6 Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. 7 When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him. 16 The Lord has eyes for the just, and ears for their cry. 17 The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. 18 When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. 19 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. (Psalm 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19)
In the quiet corners where the heartache dwells, where the brokenhearted their stories tell, there is a whisper, a gentle wave, "The Lord is close," it bravely says. He walks the shadows, the valleys deep where those crushed in spirit their vigils keep with a love so vast, a touch so tender, He saves the lost, the lone, the surrenderer. So fear not the night, the sorrow's song for even there, you are not alone. The Lord is close, He's by your side, in His love, you can confide. For the brokenhearted, He is near and those crushed in spirit, He holds dear. His saving grace, a beacon bright, in our darkest hours, our guiding light.
Heavenly Father, in times of sorrow, when hearts are low, You are near, this we know. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted," Your word declares, our fears departed and those who are crushed, feeling small, You save them, one and all. Your love, a balm, Your presence, a guide, in our darkest hours, You abide. Help us to remember, in times of despair that Your love is constant, beyond compare. May we find comfort in Your embrace and meet each challenge with Your grace. In Jesus most holy name, we pray, Amen.
Pericope:
II: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
TEACHING ABOUT PRAYER / THE LORD'S PRAYER
Matthew 6:5-8/9-15
II: Expiation of Sin, Spiritual Liberation of Israel
AN INVITATION TO GRACE
Isaiah 55:1-13
First Book of Psalms 1-41
THANKSGIVING TO GOD WHO DELIVERS THE JUST
Psalm 34:1-19
Reflection Source:
Copilot with Bing Chat
