Forgive Us Our Sins

It is a bright, sunny morning as Eric and I prepare for a few days' rest and recreation on the North Shore. The trash has been taken out, dishes washed, and suitcases packed. Felines Sammy and Mikey can sense that something is up with their human family members. They are anxious and a bit out of sorts.

Today is Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Election Day. Like my cats, I am anxious and a bit out of sorts because of the uncertainty of the world around me. A world in need of healing and reconciliation. A world in need of the forgiving grace of God in Christ.

Therefore, as Eric and I head out the door, I am sharing with you a prayer of forgiveness that I will be praying every day while away. This prayer has been written for children in helping them understand the meaning of forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer: in response to God's forgiveness of our sins ('trespasses'), we are called to forgive those who have sinned against us. Although the prayer is written in a 'call and response' style, it can easily be prayed individually.

I hope that you will find assurance and hope as you pray this simple, yet powerful prayer:
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Prayer About Being Forgiven and Forgiving

(Carolyn Brown, from http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com)

Loving God, we admit that we are not always loving and kind. We know that we can be selfish and mean to other people, even to people we love.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Forgive us for the words we say and the things we do that hurt other people.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
But God you love and forgive not only us, but all people. Teach us to be like you. Show us how to love and forgive those who are not kind or loving to us. Give us your power to forgive them when they are as selfish and mean as we sometimes are.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Help us forgive them when they do things and say words that hurt us.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Forgiving God, your son Jesus taught us this prayer and then died on the cross to prove to us that you do forgive us and everyone else in the world. Teach us how to pray this prayer. Make us deeply aware that we are forgiven. And, help us forgive those who sin against us. For we pray in Jesus name.
Amen.
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May you accept God's forgiving grace, and share it with others!

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