The Hardest Prayer You Can Pray - Crosswalk the Devotional - August 30

Truths observed at the intersection of faith and life by Crosswalk.com editors [Crosswalk.com Logo]( Crosswalk: The Devotional [Devotionals]( [Newsletters]( [e-Cards]( The Hardest Prayer You Can Pray by Liz Kanoy “Jesus said, ’Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing’” ( 23:34](. The context of this verse occurs when Jesus is being crucified. Though He was innocent, He carried His cross alongside two criminals to the place where they would be crucified, called The Skull (Golgotha). On the cross, the Son of God—situated between two sinners deserving of death—spoke to His Father and said, ’Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing’” ( 23:34](. This was and is the worst crime in the history of the world; the only innocent Man to live on this earth, the only Man undeserving of death and punishment was put to death in the most humiliating and unfair way … and He said what? This prayer was directed toward the taunting crowd, religious leaders happily observing His death, apathetic Roman soldiers placing bets for His clothing, and the criminals on either side of Him. Could you forgive someone for a terrible crime simply because they do not know God? This is the hardest prayer anyone can pray. To forgive someone undeserving of forgiveness; to forgive someone who does not even recognize their need for forgiveness. Could you pray this prayer for terrorists, for killers, for gunmen, for bullies, for family members who hurt you deeply, for friends who stab you in the back, for co-workers who use you, for any number of circumstances that cause you or someone you love pain. On my own, I know I cannot pray this prayer—for I am far too angered by injustice, by acts of evil, by selfish deceit. But with the [Holy Spirit]( as my Helper and my Advocate, I can seek to grow in this prayer. To see people as not just wrong or evil but incredibly lost … and to pray most of all for God to make Himself known to them, for He is the One whom all wrongs are ultimately committed against. [CONTINUE READING →]( You May Also Like: [5 Subtle Ways the Demons from Our Past Are Controlling Us]( Francine Rivers We all live through trouble and painful experiences, some far worse than others. If we dwell on those things, we make ourselves captives. [CONTINUE READING →]( [Why Is the Church Going Dark?]( Janet Thompson Lord, why are we singing about you being the Light in the darkness while standing here in almost complete darkness? This just doesn’t seem right. [CONTINUE READING →](                       Bible Trivia Question of the Day                                       How is faith described in the book of Hebrews? A. the evidence of things not seen B. irrational hope C. blind belief D. trust in one's feelings [ANSWER THE QUESTION →]( [Crosswalk.com Logo]( [Read about Salem Web Network]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Email Preference Center]( | [View in Browser]( © 2021 Salem Web Network. All rights reserved. 111 Virginia Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219. This email is never sent unsolicited. You are receiving this email because your email address, {EMAIL}, is signed up to receive newsletters, updates, and special offers from Crosswalk.com - The Devotional. [Link](