Released from the Cage – The Presidential Prayer Team

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

Isaiah foresaw the time of God’s forgiveness. “Come now let us reason together, says the Lord; though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (Isaiah 1:18). Because of what Jesus did on the cross, believers come to Him for cleansing. Believers, in turn, are instructed to forgive others. Jesus says seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22).

It has been said many times that not forgiving someone, being embittered against them, is like locking yourself in a cage with them and, in order to get out, you have to let the other person out too. That is not to say that people should not be held accountable in this world for their crimes. Forgiving someone is loving them and wanting the best for them. As children who are disciplined grow up to be more mature, sometimes the most loving things are correction and consequences. Forgiveness happens in the heart. And when the one who is forgiven reciprocates, a broken relationship is restored.

Thank your Heavenly Father today for His forgiveness through Christ. If you have anything against someone, at least make it right in your own heart before the Lord. Reach out to His supernatural grace to love and forgive as He does. Pray for the citizens of the United States to recognize their need for forgiveness, receive it through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, and extend it to those around them. Pray for the healing and unity of this nation.

Today’s Verse: 1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Matthew 18:21-35

²¹Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” ²²Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

²³“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. ²⁶So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ ²⁷And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. ²⁸But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ ²⁹So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ ³⁰He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. ³¹When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. ³²Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ³³And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ ³⁴And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. ³⁵So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”