"Forgive us our trespasses" (Matthew 6:12).

In the Our Father, this wonderful model of prayer that Jesus has left us underlines that all our requests can not be answered on the basis of our merits. It is important that all our prayers be impregnated with that profound awareness that we deserve nothing and that we are sinners.

Scripture reminds us in many places that God is on the side of those who have a humble heart and know how to ask for forgiveness : "For thus says the Most High, whose dwelling is eternal, and whose name is holy : I live in high places and in holiness, but I am with the contrite and humbled, that I may revive the humbled, that I may revive contrite hearts" (Isaiah 57:15). Is not that wonderful ? The favor of God is upon those who pray with a humble and contrite heart. The Apostle Peter says : "Put on humility, for God resists the proud, but he gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5: 5).

When the Prophet Daniel had his heart to pray, that God would fulfill his promise to bring the people of Israel back to his land, he began by humbling himself, and asked for forgiveness for the faults committed. (Daniel 9: 4-20). Daniel was aware that every request had to be addressed to God with a humble and repentant heart.

While we were in a prayer meeting, one of the elders proposed that we sing this beautiful song of Sylvain Freymond : "Forgive, Lord, forgive us for our pride, our resistances, come to take away our sufficiency, and drive away our arrogance. Lord, pardon for all our impure thoughts, Come and change our hard hearts, our obscure reasonings ... "At the end of this song, a brother prayed saying," Lord, thank you because you have already forgiven us, Wait till we ask your pardon. " This last brother seemed to forget that Jesus taught us to pray, integrating in our prayers a central request : "Forgive us our trespasses." It is not optional, it is an essential element in our prayers.

To pray, with a humble and contrite heart, is also to pray, by forgiving those who would have harmed you. Before making your request to God, make sure you have forgiven those who have offended you.

Advice for this day :

If you wish to be heard, approach the throne of grace with a humble heart by acknowledging your sins and forgiving those who have offended you.

Paul Calzada