2019 Prayer and Fasting, Day 32

Years ago, when I was still relatively new to the Vineyard, I entered a season where I encountered a lot of pain. The disappointments that led to the pain, when I look back, were momentary in and of themselves. But the impact lasted for awhile, and eventually festered into a persistent anger and into unforgiveness. At some point, maybe 4-5 months after the season of pain began, I felt like I heard this: "read Matthew 6:15."

And I did. For context, I'll give you the previous verse as well:

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
--Matthew 6:14-15, New International Version

Looking back, I can see why I felt God highlight the second of those two verses rather than the first. The second one is more likely to get my attention. And I know He wanted to get my attention. It's a sign of a Father that does care, despite my persistent thoughts even to this day that still insinuate He doesn't. And as I've been reading and praying this morning through the passages from yesterday's post, I did connect to a verse in there that backs that up:

The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.
--Psalm 6:9, New International Version

Again, Scriptural confirmation declaring that God does care about His creation, about His children.

Forgiveness is not something I've done particularly well in my life. There have been some instances where I am more able and more willing to forgive quickly; others, where, well, not so much.

I close today's post with a question that I have to ask myself periodically: who do you need to forgive?