The new math - 70x7

70 x 7: the new math for forgiveness

  The following is a prayer of Martin Luther’s as he prays through the Gospels. This prayer is based on Matthew 18:23-35; The Unforgiving Servant.
  Read through the Matthew text, then read through and pray this prayer.
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 Remember prayer is praying back to God what He teaches and delivers to us through His Word. God begins the conversation with His Word, we respond with prayer. Praying God’s Word begins to shape our hearts and in turn our actions towards others.
 
  Author of Forgiveness,
  You see things so differently from the way the world sees them. Give me insight, dear Jesus. I want to understand how I can be expected to let go of unloving actions done to me over and over. Yet You have forgiven me so much and so many times for the same sin. I want to be able to forgive my neighbor the way you have forgiven me.
  Open my heart to grasp that In Your kingdom there is nothing but forgiveness of sin, pardon, and giving. There is no anger, no punishment, pure brotherly love, and kindness. How I long to live in such a place! Because I want You to live and reign in me, I ask You to teach me to forgive.
  Civil government provides punishments to reduce wickedness and to discourage people from hurting each other. This is necessary and good. Guide me to understand, O Christ, that Your kingdom is a spiritual one. Your forgiveness is forever because grace is forever, and by this I am saved. 
  Forgive me for thinking my efforts in praying, fasting, going to church every week, or self-flagellation remove my need to let go of wrongs others have done to me. Help me recognize that my efforts to earn Your favor are a rejection of Your mercy, for mercy is shown only when no payment can be made.
  Because You love me, I can love others. You’ve given me worldly goods in love and Your kingdom will come as I do the same with my neighbors. Show me the blessing found in giving. Let it be one of the ways I praise and return love to You. 
  Increase my trust that You saved me, that You received the punishment for all my sin, and that You set me free to know the comfort of the gospel. Thank You for faith that has led me to You. Now let my works of love declare my faith. 
  Send me to people who will benefit by receiving the love I have for You. Inspire me to be committed to the welfare of the world because You showed such boundless love for me. Bring me into Your kingdom as I try to live as You lived. Amen.
Meier, Paul W.. Praying the Gospels with Martin Luther: Finding Freedom in Love.  Malcolm Creek Publishing.

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