“ “18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. 19 You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.””
““21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.””
Prayer is one of the most effective spiritual weapons in the hands of believers used to access spiritual breakthroughs. However, unforgiveness is the barrier to prayer and can keep us from the realization of our prayers. Mark 11:25 “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Like a farmer who sows in pain yet ripe no harvest, if care is not taken a believer can end up the same way. Unforgiveness is a good tool that the enemy uses to keep us away from our breakthroughs. We must strive towards avoiding traps of the enemy so that we will not waste our time and soon claim that God does not answer prayer. Ephesians 1:7-8 “7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace, 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding.” The blood of the lamb has paved the way for us to take a step and choose to forgiveness.
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Whatever sin we have committed, God is always faithful and just to forgive us. He treats us the same, all we need to do is identify the sin, acknowledge that we sin with justification and plead for his mercy. From January 2023 till now list the things you may have done wrong or did not do although expected to do them, or you refused or were in rebellion (List them before you ask for mercy). Ask him for mercy.
Colossians 3: 13 “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive”. Luke 11:4 “And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”
Ask for forgiveness for those who hurt you, those you have been holding capture. Remember each time you chose not to forgive, you are holding two people captive (you and the other person). Can you imagine if Jesus keeps a record of our sin? No prayer will ever be answered.
Isaiah 55:7 “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”
Pray that every wicked man/woman or child around us will forsake their evil ways, turn to Jesus so he/she may find mercy.
Ezra 10: 1-4, 11 “1 While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites—men, women and children—gathered around him. They too wept bitterly. 2 Then Shekaniah son of Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam, said to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel. 3 Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law. 4 Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.” 11 Now honor the Lord, the God of your ancestors, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the peoples around you and from your foreign wives.”
Ezra prayed and confess the sin of the people along with the whole community. We must do same and ask God for forgiveness as well as separate from sin (V: 11)as indicated below.
The church and leader leading the way: Ezra said they have been unfaithful by marrying foreign women- The church today is married to the world. There is always no distinction between a believer and an unbeliever. They all swear, drink and get drank, watch the same movies or show, commit fornication and adultery, tell lies etc . Ask God for mercy and forgives over the wickedness and witchcraft in the modern day church. The church has to cry out for mercy. Judges 10:10 “And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.”
Children: 1 Samuel 2:22-25 “Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. No, my sons; the report I hear spreading among the LORD’s people is not good. If one person sins against another, God may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the LORD, who will intercede for them?” His sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke, for it was the LORD’s will to put them to death.”
We have to ask for forgiveness over the sins of our children that they will not become like this above.
Families: Isaiah 9:17 “Therefore the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men, nor will he pity the fatherless and widows, for everyone is ungodly and wicked, every mouth speaks folly. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.” Psalm 32:5 “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.”
Let us come together and confess the sin of all our family members, aunts, uncles, cousins etc
Nations and their leaders: Isaiah 1: 4 “Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.”
A righteous nation flourishes. We must pray and ask for mercy upon the wicked nations of the earth.