Thought for Today

Numbers 14:20 Then the LORD said, "I do forgive, just as you have asked;

Psalm 65:3 When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, you forgive our transgressions.

Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.

“It is impossible for us to forgive as perfectly as God does . . . we try to be merciful even as we struggle to forgive.” (These Days, July 31, 2025)

Our congregation prays the Lord’s Prayer during worship each week. Many Christian denominations do likewise. Many Christians also pray this model prayer as part of their regular prayer life. I find great comfort each week as we pray, knowing that Christians throughout Christendom are also praying along with us.

Each time I visit another congregation, I always take note of whether they ‘debt’ or ‘transgress.’ Some even ‘sin,’ as they pray this prayer. Interestingly, Matthew and Luke use different Greek words in their renditions of this prayer. In Matthew, the word ὀφειλήμα (ophelahma) is used. In Luke, ἁμαρτία (haymartia) is used. Respectively, the words mean, “what is owed, debt, sin” and “sin, guilt” (Friberg, Analytical Greek Lexicon)

Given how ubiquitous the use of the Lord’s Prayer is, I wonder how many of us truly listen to and reflect on our plea to God? Whether we ‘debt,’ ‘transgress,’ or ‘sin,’ how many of us realize that we are asking for reciprocity? We pray for God to forgive our debts “as we have also forgiven our debtors.” Do we really want for God to forgive us in direct proportion to how we have forgiven each other?

The author of that devotional yesterday optimistically wrote that “we try to be merciful.” Look at the world around us. Russia is not demonstrating much mercy toward Ukraine. Hamas is not demonstrating much mercy toward the Israelis or toward the Gazans. As Christians, each of us must determine our own position concerning how much we wish for mercy to drive our nation’s immigration laws and enforcement. We must measure what we think, say, hear and see against that for which we pray.

  Even in the world of commerce, do we find much evidence of mercy and forgiveness? I do not think corporations or companies drive their pursuit of profit based on mercy or forgiveness. I am confident that mercy and forgiveness are not primary concerns in the world of politics. I cannot imagine a government or economic system that would value mercy and forgiveness more than anything else.

Can we ever hope to forgive ourselves or each other as God forgives? Is that even possible? If we look a little further at the Lord’s Prayer, we see that we do pray for that possibility, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” What will that look like? What will this world be when God’s will is done here like it is in heaven? Certainly it will not look like the world in which we live today. As I contemplate the exact details of such a world, I remember Jesus’ words about when it will come about equally applicable to those details, "Matthew 24:36 But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

My not knowing, the impossibility of my ever knowing, is not any excuse for my not doing everything in my power to bring such a world to fruition. As Christians, we are tasked with working toward the Kingdom of God. A good start would be for each of us to listen to the words we pray. Then, we can reorder our lives around making that for which we pray a reality. We are all presented a multiplicity of opportunities, a plethora of different ways to work toward the Kingdom of God.

Imagine a world where every thought we have, every word we speak, every action we take is Kingdom oriented. A world where we actually do wish for reciprocal mercy and forgiveness. Is it possible? The answer is up to us. God has shown us the way. Long ago, the prophet Micah reminded us, “6:8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” We just need to make it so.

Stay safe, orient yourself toward the Kingdom, trust God,

Pastor Ray