CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

TODAY'S READING: Num. 34-36; Mark 11
Scripture
MARK 11: 25 [26] And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Observation
There are a number of takeaways in this verse, “and when you stand praying” The verse assumed that we pray, thus the “when you”. It is assumed that sometimes when we pray, we stand. It’s assumed that part of praying is believing that someone is listening to our prayer. The whole, “if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them.” That isn’t us praying for protection, or prosperity, or penance and in the middle of it, remembering we’re upset with someone. That’s the Holy Spirit convicting us. Check out 6 different translations of the Bible and chances are in 3 of them you won’t find v.26. In some translations it just jumps from v. 25 to v.27. I’m not sure why some omit that verse and other’s don’t. But the translations that include it, I understand what the verse is saying, “You want me to listen to you! Then listen to me!” Here’s what verse 16 says in the NASB; [But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”] Follow that verse to it’s logical conclusion. If God doesn’t forgive us, God doesn’t hear us. No forgiveness, no relationship.
Application
Holding any grudges? Hate anybody? Been hurt and want to hurt back? Know anybody that just doesn’t deserve forgiveness, doesn’t deserve your forgiveness.
Ever had a drop call on your cell phone? Ever just couldn’t hear the person on the other end? Hey God! Can You Hear Me Now? Hey Joe! Have you forgiven ______________ s[fill in the blank]
Prayer
Papa,
Here’s the deal, there are some people that have hurt me, and there are people that I just don’t like.
But there are some people that I really love, people like Wanda Snyder; and if getting you to hear my prayers for Wanda means that I need to forgiving creeps, I forgive!
And I’ll go you one better, help me see them creeps different, change my heart oh God, but it the meantime, heal Wanda.
Your stubborn son, your son never the less.
Can you hear me now?
- Joe