Forgive us our trespasses
Anytime we are in God’s presence we have to acknowledge our position before God… we are sinful and don’t deserve anything, not even for our prayers to be heard. So we beg for forgiveness and to be made right with God. And we vow to treat others as He has treated us.
Think about the times in your life where you’ve hurt someone because of sin. As you ponder, break the stick into pieces as a symbol of the brokenness we experience as sinful humans. Break additional pieces as you are reminded of those who have hurt you. Break these pieces as a reminder of the brokenness we feel from others when they hurt us.
Finally lay all of the broken pieces at the foot of the cross — a true symbol of forgiveness and restoration.
As you pray…
+ Recognize your sinfulness.
+ Lay your sins at the foot of the cross.
+ Name the sin that keeps coming back and give it over to Jesus.
+ Picture in your mind those people you need to forgive, ask for forgiveness for not forgiving them and vow to make the relationship right.
Reflect + Respond
1. What do we ask God for in this petition and why? (Psalm 51:1-2, Psalm 130:3-4)
2. What does God want us to do for those who sin against us? (Matthew 18:21-22)