Would any of us be so bold
as to stand before God and say:
Lord, love me
– in the just the same way you see me love others…
or
Lord, take care of me
Lord, take care of me
– in just the same way you see me care for others…
or
Lord, forgive me
Lord, forgive me
– in just the same way you see me forgive others…
I don’t think any of us would be bold or foolish enough to pray that way
and yet, every time we say the Lord’s prayer, we pray:
Forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us…
Forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us…
your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others their sins,
your Father will not forgive your sins.
God’s mercy is offered to every one – without exception
and God calls everyone – without exception –
to be merciful to all
to be merciful to all
as God is merciful to each of us…
Now, let’s Pause for Prayer:
Lord of mercy,
what you ask of me here
sometimes seems impossible!
Do you really expect me to be merciful to someone
who’s hurt me? ignored me? betrayed me?
abandoned me? taken me for granted?
blamed me for things I didn’t do?
used me? misjudged me?
who’s hurt me? ignored me? betrayed me?
abandoned me? taken me for granted?
blamed me for things I didn’t do?
used me? misjudged me?
But even as I pray those words
I think of the times
when I’ve hurt you… ignored you… betrayed you…
abandoned you… taken you for granted…
blamed you for things you didn’t do…
used you and misjudged you…
when I’ve hurt you… ignored you… betrayed you…
abandoned you… taken you for granted…
blamed you for things you didn’t do…
used you and misjudged you…
And for all these sins and failings,
you stand ready to offer me mercy…
As I need you to forgive me,
so must I forgive those
who’ve offended me…
This mercy business isn’t easy, Lord!
My heart nurses anger
resentments and grudges
while your heart spills over
with kindness and mercy,
answering my prayer
when I ask for your pardon…
When I find it almost impossible, Lord,
to forgive and to pardon with mercy,
make me mindful of all you’ve forgiven me,
to forgive and to pardon with mercy,
make me mindful of all you’ve forgiven me,
and open my heart to others
as you’ve opened yours to me…
