The Power of Proclaiming Forgiveness - Your Nightly Prayer
The Power of Proclaiming Forgiveness
Your Nightly Prayer for May 22, 2025
by Kyle Norman
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
And when Jesus had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.” - John 20:22-23
SOMETHING TO PONDER
When I was 10 years old, I was almost hit by a car. I was crossing the main street in the little town where we lived, walking my bike across the crosswalk. When I was about halfway across, I heard a loud screech, and before I could react my bike flew out of my hands and a car zipped past me.
Much of that event is a jumble of memories. I remember impressions and feelings more than the color of the car or what my bike looked like afterwards. But there is one thing that stands out to me. I sat in the back of the patrol car, while he officer on scene took statements from those who witnessed the events. I was waiting to be taken home. The driver of the car was placed in the seat in front of me. He was a young man, middle aged. His hair was disheveled, and he wore a brown jacket. He apologized profusely, saying how sorry he was and that he was glad I was ok. And as I sat there, I had an undeniable urge to pronounce forgiveness for him. By this, I don’t just mean to say to him I was fine, and he shouldn’t worry. As someone from a liturgical church, I had seen my priest stand and pronounce forgiveness over the congregation on a weekly basis. It was this action – this authoritative and declarative statement that the God of all creation could meet this man in his turmoil and bless him with life, grace, and forgiveness. That is what I wanted to proclaim.
There is something awesome about proclaiming forgiveness. I say this, not as a priest who does this liturgically every Sunday, but as a disciple whom Jesus sends into ministry. After Jesus empowers the disciples with his Spirit, he says to them, “if you forgive anyone their sins, they are already forgiven” (John 20:23). Jesus sends the disciples out with this message of forgiveness.
Just consider how much a privilege it is to declare to someone that God’s love enfolds them, and that the promises of Jesus can be met in their life. That privilege, that ability, that amazing invitation is gifted to all the disciples. It is gifted to you and me.
We all know people who face a lot in life. So many people carry around a sense of spiritual weight and heaviness that sometimes they don’t know how to deal with it. Or maybe they have been taught that God is angry and judgmental, and so God will never have anything to do with them.
Who might that be for you? As you end this night, do you know anyone who is struggling to feel forgiven in their life? Do you know someone who is searching for the peace that this world cannot give, the love that won’t be denied, the forgiveness that blankets all sins and mistakes? How might you help them hear that Jesus is alive and present for them? How might Jesus be calling you to proclaim the love, grace, and forgiveness of God in their life? You have that right, you have that power, you have that invitation.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Dearest Jesus, proclaiming your forgiveness is an awesome and profound privilege. Your forgiveness is what frees me to embrace you as robustly as I can. Your forgiveness is what transforms my life each day. Help me to proclaim this message to others, particularly to that person you are calling me to. Give me the words to say that will break through any defense or doubt, so that they may feel the soothing balm of your forgiveness wash over them. As your devoted follower, I pray that you bring me to the right person, at the right time, so that I might declare your forgiveness in their life. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Jesus tells the disciples to forgive sins only after he breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This means that the message of forgiveness is rooted in the work of the Holy Spirit. How can you rely more fully on the Holy Spirit in your life?
2. Jesus sends the disciples as he was sent by the Father. How was Jesus sent into the world, and how does this help you uncover the truth about your own sending and call?
3. When have you heard a declaration of forgiveness by a priest or a pastor? How did it make you feel? If you are struggling with forgiveness yourself, is this something you can seek out in your own church?
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/ Maeghan Smulders
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