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19 March 2007
Praying, Giving and Receiving - a special series for Lent on Matthew's Gospel, written by Peter Graystone
Matthew 6:12
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
These words are more familiar in the translation that asks God to forgive 'sins' or 'trespasses'. In the original Greek version, though, the word 'debts' is used. Did Jesus have in mind the metaphorical debt of the way we have wronged other people, or literal financial debts? Or both?
Debt was a crushing fact of life for Jesus' first listeners. It may be that, as on so many other occasions, Jesus was relating faith to ordinary life. However, the release from debt for which we are encouraged to pray has conditions attached. We can only expect to find pardon in the measure that we ourselves have pardoned other people.
Father, help me today to forgive those are indebted to me, and may I be forgiven for the debts I owe. Help me to see others needs and help them without thought of self. Help me to work for justice in those around me and the wider world, where poverty becomes a spiral to greater debt. Lord let me be your servant and guide me according to your will. Amen
Praying, Giving and Receiving - a special series for Lent on Matthew's Gospel, written by Peter Graystone
Matthew 6:12
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
These words are more familiar in the translation that asks God to forgive 'sins' or 'trespasses'. In the original Greek version, though, the word 'debts' is used. Did Jesus have in mind the metaphorical debt of the way we have wronged other people, or literal financial debts? Or both?
Debt was a crushing fact of life for Jesus' first listeners. It may be that, as on so many other occasions, Jesus was relating faith to ordinary life. However, the release from debt for which we are encouraged to pray has conditions attached. We can only expect to find pardon in the measure that we ourselves have pardoned other people.
Father, help me today to forgive those are indebted to me, and may I be forgiven for the debts I owe. Help me to see others needs and help them without thought of self. Help me to work for justice in those around me and the wider world, where poverty becomes a spiral to greater debt. Lord let me be your servant and guide me according to your will. Amen
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