For a multitude of the people, many of them from Ephraim, Manaseh, Isachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the passover otherwise as proscribed. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, "The good Lord pardon all who set their hearts to seek God, the Lord the God of their ancestors, even though not in accordance with the sanctuary's rules of cleanness." The Lord heard Hezekiah, and healed the people. II Chronicles 30: 18-20 NRSV
I am very accustomed to asking God to forgive me. But how often do I ask God to forgive others?
King Hezekiah asks for God to forgive those who participated in the Passover feast without properly cleansing themselves as the Law required. He did this because he saw that these people were actively seeking God and trying to do the right thing. God then forgives these people. We know this because God also healed them.
Who do you see as being in need of God's forgiveness? In asking for God to forgive them, know that God's forgiveness will be manifest in their lives in a powerful and highly evident way. Let's pray together:
God, you know our hearts better than we even know ourselves or those we love. We ask your forgiveness for ________________________. Even Jesus on the cross asked that you forgive those who tortured and killed him, even those who mocked him as he died. We invoke that powerful forgiveness - not just for those who have hurt us but for those who have hurt you. In Jesus' powerful name we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
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