We have been looking at the pattern of prayer that the Lord gave to His disciples in Matthew 6, and how I personally use this as a pattern for my daily prayer.

In the past we have looked at the first four parts of the prayer and today we will be looking at the part that says, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors”.

I pray that the Lord will search my heart and forgive me for any lust, selfishness, pride or greed that is in my life. Then I ask for forgiveness for times when my faith is weak and for times when I don’t have a passion for God’s Word or for those who are without Jesus in their lives to accept Him.

Then I pray for forgiveness for any sins my family may have committed. (I am reminded that Job practiced this daily for his family). I then pray for forgiveness for sins that those in my congregation may have committed. Finally, I pray for forgiveness for the sins of our nation: forgiveness for lust, greed, pride, idolatry (putting other things or people above God), abortion and sexual sins outside God’s boundaries. I pray for forgiveness for our nation rejecting Jesus and for disregarding His Word.

We as believers are encouraged to ask for forgiveness daily, but also there is presumption here that we have been able to forgive others their sins against us. Colossians 3:13 reminds us of this when it states, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you”.

So, each day may we all as believers ask the Lord to search our hearts and be willing to confess anything and everything He brings to our attention. Then we can pray for the sins of others, that they might confess and know the peace of forgiveness.