20 Days With the Lord’s Prayer Day 11: He wants to give us a clean slate.

“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬-‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

David had done the unthinkable. He had fallen into sin. And now—to cover his sin—he had ordered circumstances that would lead to Uriah‘s death.

The Prophet Nathan had just confronted David with his sin by offering a scenario illustrating what he had done. Upon realizing the severity of his failure, David turns to the Lord for forgiveness and restoration.

“Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51‬:‭1‬-‭3‬, ‭7‬-‭8‬, ‭10‬, ‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you are familiar with the story, you will know that the Lord did forgive him. There were consequences; but the Lord forgave him.

“The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Indeed, David knew that he would be forgiven because he knew the nature of his heavenly Father.

The great news is that David’s heavenly Father is also our heavenly Father. The Lord wants to forgive us. He wants us to start each day with a clean slate.

Imagine if we never bathed our bodies, brushed our teeth, practiced basic good hygiene, what a mess we’d be in and may suffer because of it.

Yet, we may let the circumstances of life, and yes, our own failings, our own sin, pile up in such a way that we’re always facing every new day with residue from the days, months, and years, we’ve lived before.

For today’s portion of the Lord‘s prayer we consider: “And forgive us our debts.” Bear in mind that this is said after asking for daily bread. And, as we discussed, our provision is on a daily basis.

The Lord then instructs that we ask for forgiveness. This is also done on a daily basis to make sure there’s nothing between our soul and our Savior, to truly be able to start each day with a clean slate before God.

Child of God, don’t live another moment without asking the Lord to forgive you. You don’t have to worry about whether He will forgive you or not. As John said:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

‭‭I John‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Remember, God wants to forgive us!

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!