This is a prayer Jesus never had to pray, but one he teaches us to pray. One has to wonder, especially during the season of Lent, if Jesus was thinking of the high cost of the forgiveness the Father is willing to grant to the disciples (and to us).

Forgiveness is both emotional and transactional. We cannot be simultaneously angry and forgiving. Forgiveness works like a pressure release valve, letting go the frustrations and anger we feel toward someone who has hurt us. It is also transactional: when we truly forgive someone we cancel their debt. They no longer owe us.

To live is to need forgiveness.

The transactional reality of forgiveness is that God’s forgiveness of our sins comes at the expense of Jesus’ own life. We are able to be forgiven because Jesus was willing to die for our sins. When Jesus instructs us to pray for forgiveness, ultimately he will pay the price for that very prayer.

My sin, O the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord O my soul.

Horatio Spafford, It is Well with my soul

What sin(s) need to be forgiven today? Could I remind you that the price has already been paid, the debt is already canceled. Don’t hesitate to ask. What an insult to the Father if you spurn the most precious gift he has ever, and will ever, give you…his only Son.