Forgiveness

We all know what it's like to be wronged, to be hurt by others, sometimes to the point to where you hear people say, "I can't forgive that". Jesus' point in this speech to the disciples is forgiveness.
In speaking to the disciples, they asked Jesus, "Teach us to pray". He replied in Matthew 6:9 - 15, what we know as "The Lord's Prayer" and said: "This then, is how you should pray: Our Father, who is in Heaven, Holy is your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us for our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins".
This isn't a prayer that just anyone can pray, but for those who believe. I say that because of the way it starts out - "Our Father" - that shows there is a relationship there. Once we acknowledge that God is our father, we are able to say "Holy is Your Name". The name Yahweh was and is such a sacred word for the Hebrews (Jews) that they didn't even speak it aloud out of awe and reverence. In our day and age the Lord's name is taken in vain continually, and used as a cuss word - no believer could call God "Father" and utter his name in such a vile way.
"Your kingdom come, your will be done" - This is referenced back to Matthew 3: 2, speaking of the kingdom of Heaven; a perfect place, where the will of God is always at work. We need to pray that we follow his will here on earth, just like it is being done in Heaven.
"Give us today our daily bread" - we need to go to God daily; as he told Moses, "Tell them 'I AM' sent you". This is where you can fill in the blank for what you need God to be in your life. He is always in the present - and will provide for us daily.
"Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us" - We must learn to forgive others if we want our sins forgiven. To hold someone in unforgiveness doesn't affect them, but it does interfere with our relationship to the Lord.
"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" - In James 1:13 it says this - "When tempted, no one should say, ' God is tempting me'. For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone, but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed". In this passage from James, the Greek word for tempt means to test, try prove or solicit to evil. James is saying that it's not from God, but from man's own inner lusts.
Don't let today end without taking that hurt that is keeping you in unforgiveness toward someone come between your relationship with the Lord. It doesn't mean that you think what they did was right, it simply frees you from harboring that sin of unforgiveness in your heart and letting it control you.

Janelle