“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

At the end of a very moving prayer Sunday morning, Elder Joshua Klein led the congregation in saying the Lord’s Prayer. I was caught off guard a little bit by this, as it’s been several weeks since I was in church for various reasons, and the last time we said the prayer together, I stumbled over the words–to my own embarrassment and my wife’s amusement. When we said this phrase, known to many around the world as “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us,” I was cut to the quick, because I knew immediately that there are people in my life I am not forgiving. And if I am not forgiving my debtors, why should I expect God to forgive me my debts to Him?

I spoke to a friend about this, describing the situation I had in mind. He suggested that if I could not expect the other party to acknowledge guilt for the harm caused to me, then it would do me no good to carry a burden of bitterness for the situation, for I would end up bitter for no good reason. He said, “It’s not your job to save that person. You need to live your own life.”

As I pondered his words, I recognized the truth in them, so I forgive the debts of the other, that I, too, may be forgiven. Further, as the sins that God has forgiven me are “cast into the sea of forgetfulness and are remembered (against me) no more,” so, too, shall I endeavor to the same result with the other party involved. In order for that to happen, however, I realize that I cannot intentionally interact with that person, and as my regular course of life does not involve the person, there is no reason why that should happen, Lord willing. Healing must occur for both parties, healing that only God can bring, and time and distance are required for that to happen.

“For Thine is the kingdom and the power and glory forever. Amen.”