Devotion for Monday, April 20, 2026

“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.  But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions” (Mark 11:25-26).

The principle here, in part, is to get out of yourself and the issues you have.  If there is hurt, resentment, or animosity, these things can and do get in the way.  Come out of yourself and realize that all things are known by our Heavenly Father and that He will lead you through all past and present events to trust that He is working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight.  We are forgiven and He does not hold anything against those who trust in Jesus.  Learn to forgive others in the same way.

Lord, teach me how to forgive.  I think I have forgiven and then something gets in the way.  I remember and I am off and running with my thoughts.  Help me learn how to let the things I need to let go, be gone, not forgetting, but forgiving.  Help me to understand what You are doing in my life so that I become one who forgives as freely as I receive the forgiveness that You give me.

Lord Jesus, You died to free me from the recompense of sin.  Sin holds on and destroys.  Help me to learn from Your example to let things go according to the Father’s will.  Lead me to look forward to what You are doing and not dwell on the past which has already happened.  Take from me the besetting desire for vengeance so that I willingly seek the Father’s will at all times and in all places, for vengeance is Mine, says the LORD.  Amen.