And whenever you stand praying, forgive… (Mark 11:25 ESV)
When to Forgive
My inclination is to eat whatever I want, whenever I want. I know better. Health is more important than my physical satisfaction. But it is hard. I have grown so used to doing what I want when it comes to food.
And sudden bursts of restraint, or turning on ‘good behavior’ do not cut the mustard. Eating right is a constant sort of thing. If I expect the benefits of better health, I get to change my perspective about food.
And it works the same way with forgiveness.
God does not forgive His people in fits and starts. Jesus did not turn on the forgiveness switch, and turn it off on other days. Forgiveness is a perspective that God, in His grace and love, always always always had, has, and will have.
The peace, honesty, and joy that comes from forgiving occurs when we forgive always… when we have an attitude of forgiveness instead of an attitude of anger, justice, and grudges.
Jesus teaches this when He instructs us to forgive whenever we pray. Every time we pray. Always when we pray.
Yes, it is difficult. But prayer founded on forgiveness is like Christ’s praying. Prayer founded on forgiveness forges humility. Prayer founded on forgiveness creates peace even when we are not praying.
Paul tells us to pray without ceasing… in these terms, it also means forgive without ceasing.