Prayer Of Forgiveness

By Glenn Thomas Carson, Ph.D.
President, Disciples of Christ Historical Society
Nashville, Tennessee

We are already forgiven. Right now. And forever. Christ has accomplished the work that needed to be done and the forgiveness he provides is immediate and permanent.

There is something about our human psyche that drives us to doubt the divine forgiveness that is ours. Whether we are speaking of ancient cultures that built altars of sacrifice so that forgiveness could be continually sought, or medieval Christianity that codified grace, we learn again and again that humans have trouble accepting God's love. The same is true today. In many congregations, Sunday after Sunday, prayers are offered that deny the reality of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice. Often we pray as if we have never been forgiven and we must beg God to overlook our sins of the past week.

God has already overlooked them. Through Christ we are already forgiven. Today and always.

As Disciples, when we come to the Lord's Table, we "celebrate with thanksgiving." We know that our forgiveness is secure. So, we experience the joy of our salvation in the steady knowledge that Christ's spirit fills us, inspires us, and has already forgiven us.

Prayer:

O Lord, we thank you for the forgiveness we have in Christ. We rejoice in your grace and in our salvation. We come to your throne, not to ask for the forgiveness that is already ours, but to express our gratitude and devotion. Gratitude for your everlasting mercy and devotion to your Church and the mission you have called us to. In the forgiveness that is ours in Christ, we act each day in faith, and move toward tomorrow with the hope that only you can give. Amen.