The Hardest Prayer: “Father, Forgive Them”
Credit to Pastor Tim at Highlands Fellowship for the inspiration behind today’s post.
I was listening to Pastor Tim over at Highlands Fellowship recently, and he didn’t pull any punches. He got into the grit of what it means to forgive when you’re being hammered by the world. We’re talking about the kind of forgiveness Jesus showed while hanging on a cross between two criminals.
It’s easy to talk about grace when your coffee is hot and the morning is quiet. It’s another thing entirely when you’re bleeding.
Why the Prayer Matters
When Jesus prayed for the people killing Him, He wasn’t just being “nice.” He was fulfilling a mission.
- He Fulfilled Prophecy: Centuries before the nails, Isaiah 53:12 said He would make intercession for the transgressors. He did exactly that.
- He Modeled the Priority: Even in His final moments, His first instinct was prayer.
- He Identified the Need: Man’s greatest problem isn’t our circumstances; it’s the need for forgiveness.
Jesus didn’t wait for an apology to offer grace. He poured it out while the wounds were still fresh.
When the Hit Comes, Pray
Pastor Tim laid out a roadmap for when people do you dirty. It isn’t about “feeling” like a saint; it’s about a choice.
1. Pray for the people who hurt you. This isn’t a suggestion. Luke 6:28 tells us to bless those who curse us. You can’t hold a grudge and sincerely pray for someone’s well-being at the same time. One of them has to give.
2. Pray for restoration. Romans 12:17-18 is direct: don’t repay evil with evil. As much as it depends on you, live at peace. You can’t control the other person, but you can control your response.
The Bottom Line
Forgiveness isn’t optional for a follower of Christ. It’s the standard. Matthew 6:14-15 makes it pretty clear: if you don’t forgive others, don’t expect the Father to pull you out of the mud when you mess up.
We bear with each other because the Lord bore with us. It’s that simple, and that difficult.
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” — Colossians 3:13