And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us [who has offended or wronged us]. And lead us not into temptation [but rescue us from evil].

Luke 11:4 AMP

Key thought: Increasing in the grace of forgiveness must be every believer’s preoccupation. We must walk and embrace God’s forgiveness and extend the same to those that offend us

Forgiveness, The removal of the guilt and actual liability of our sins to the eternal wrath of God on account of the work of Jesus Christ (Easton Bible dictionary)

It is a Christian duty that none of us is exempted from, but sometimes it is difficult and this is the reason we need to increase in the grace of forgiveness.

Forgiveness is much deeper than just expressing it, and that’s a process through which God will take through as He completely heals us form the pain of the offenses.

Intercessory prayers and growing in forgiveness - Forgiveness becomes easy in the environment of intercessory prayer. The more you genuinely pray for people, the more you understand their need of forgiveness.

1. Importance of forgiveness - when we extend forgiveness
   • It opens room for us to be forgiven as well.
     It is important for both the offender but for the offended, we do ourselves harm when we don’t forgive others.
   • It is an important step towards reconciliation.
     It may not always end in reconciliation in human terms but it is difficult to think about reconciling without forgiveness.
     The goal of forgiveness is reconciliation, restoration and healing
   • It is a commanded by God, we have no choice but to  forgive
     God does not handle unforgiving casually, we have no option but to forgive those that trespass against us
   • Is foundational for thriving communities
     Without it, marriages and communities easily break. Offenses are part of human life and almost unavoidable. Sometimes people will offend without even knowing they are.
   • It releases grace in many dimensions. The prodigal son’s status was restored. The feeling that one is forgiven and accepted unlocks the potential in who have been broken by offenses.  
2. Why do we find it hard to forgive?
   • Forgiveness is unnatural, vengeance is our default setting.
     It is just that our self-interest comes into play, we want others punished for their wrongs and wish our wrongs absolved.
   • It is unfair to the ‘supposedly upright or self-righteous ones’.
     It is unfair but necessary and good. Ultimately we are all in need of forgiveness, every time we are having difficulties to forgive; we must remind ourselves that it was also unfair for Jesus to carry the burden of our sin so that we could be forgiven.
   • When the offender does not acknowledge liability.
     Extending forgiveness is possible even where the offender does not realize their wrong doing.
     Jesus forgave his persecutors whilst on the cross, Father; forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34
   • A sense of pride
     It takes a dose of humility to extend forgiveness; offenses may sometimes wound our egos and status in society.
     As much as is possible, insulate others from effect of unforgiveness. It is easy to recruit into a position of hate and bitterness, but it is difficult to reverse it   
3. Effects of our failure to  extend forgiveness to others
   • It is a poison chalice, we poison others beyond ourselves.
     You destroy yourself along with others, we spread hatred. You want your enemies to be our enemies.
     For example, children are forced (sometimes unintentionally) to take sides in disagreements between parents; trauma is transferred into innocent kids
   • Leads to bitterness. 
     Bitterness is a source many other challenges for people.
   • It chokes our progress
     He who hides his sin does not prosper Proverbs 23:13
     We need not only seek forgiveness from God but also those we have offended
4. Walking in forgiveness
   Victorious Christian living comes when we walk in the grace of forgiveness. God’s forgiveness brings justification to our lives; we become acceptable before God even though we might not feel it
   • Do not return to your vomit
     Forgiveness ushers a way to changed life.
     John 5:14 Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
   • Demonstrate a forgiven life
     May the forgiveness we have received from God remind to love him more and the need to be devoted to Him.
   • Overcome guilt and condemnation
     Guilt takes away our confidence, it makes us feel unworthy. God’s forgiveness takes away our guilty; the blood of Jesus cleanses us from our guilty consciences.
5. Growing in forgiveness
   • Let go of the self that wants tit for tat or revenge
     We grow in the grace of forgiveness as we fully yield to the Lord and cast our burdens to him.
     Trust God to take care of the offense –vengeance is the Lord’s. Allow God to carry the pain and shame of the offense.
   • Ask and allow God to heal the pain and consequences from the offense.
     Healing may take some time; the offended may carry hurt and wounds that obviously need healing. But God heals those wounds and they become beautiful scars.
     Each time as you see the scars, instead of pain you see the grace of God at work.
     The offender may also carry the guilty and self-blame; our forgiving them can also bring healing and point them towards God.
   • Put on a humble disposition when offended
     Humility is important; we must accept our brokenness and seek forgiveness. Forgiveness is a sacrifice we make to let go of the pain and injustice in exchange for the peace and healing that God bring.
     Forgiveness is not diluting or tolerating injustice, it is not even a license for one to be abused it is acknowledging that forgiveness has much more power than the offense. 
     It is acknowledging that we too needed or need forgiveness from the Lord.
   • Do  not get tired of forgiveness
     There is no limit to how many times you can forgive; forgiveness is part of our Christian lifestyle.
     Mat 18:22

Petitions - Session 1

1. Embrace and walk in the forgiveness of sins
2. May God deal with the self in us that makes it difficult to extend forgiveness
3. Pray the Holy Spirit will search us and lay bare every form of unforgiveness, bitterness     resentment as a result of it
4. Pray for healing as a result of bitterness coming out from offenses we never forgave people   
5. Pray for the ability to obey God when we required to extend forgiveness
6. Pray that God will give us the grace to forgive even in situations where the offender doesn’t acknowledge wrong doing.
7. Praying for freedom form any kind of bitterness as result of unforgiveness
8. Praying for restoration of broken relationships