From Mark chapter 11 verses 24-25 (NIV)

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, FORGIVE him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

None of us is perfect and we all hope that God will forgive us. So many nights I pray simply to do better tomorrow, because I see my failures well in those deep night hours. But can we really expect God to forgive us, if we are holding grudges, and not forgiving those who have wronged us? It is hard to forgive sometimes. I try to think of what someone has gone through in the past, try to look at the world from their point of view, try to have empathy and compassion, and most of all remember how I would hope that God will treat me.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), March 02, 2002

Answers

I just wrote to a family member about letting go of the past. Holding on to hurts and slights just eats at the soul. Many years ago, I put all the hurts and worries into His hands. It certainly freed me up to go on with my life! Right now, Melissa, I know that someone is trying to hurt you. And, by hurting you, that person is trying to hurt all of us. I forgive him/her because that person is hurting far more than we ever will be! God bless!

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), March 03, 2002.

I said a prayer for you today Melissa.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), March 03, 2002.