Shepherd Sayings

Jesus said if we want our prayers answered, we must willing forgive others. He did not say it was a nice idea to forgive them. No, Jesus declared, “Whenever you stand praying, you must forgive anything that you are holding against anyone else, and your Heavenly Father will forgive you your sins” (Mark 11:25 Phillips). It is a well-established fact that a spirit of strife and bitterness is an inseparable barrier to answered prayer. Jane Emerson explains it poetically: I heard a knock I know. I said, “Lord, Jesus, do come in. Come in.” He said, “The door is locked.” It was . . . I turned the key. I heard Him touch the handle and a crack of light appeared. “Come in, Lord Jesus. Please come in.” “Something is against the door, He said, “It will not move!” looked. I saw a dark, crude bundle I had not known was there – an ugly bundle, hateful to the touch. I glanced inside and saw the rancid unforgiveness of a wrong. I pushed it back, flung wide the door and light poured in as Jesus Stepped inside my house and greeted me. --Jane Emerson

Bitterness and unkind thoughts form the greatest barrier blocking the believer’s door to the blessings of God. In fact. Unless our attitude toward others is pure, absent of all resentment, it is doubtful God will listen to our praying. Father above, search our hearts and reveal to us those longago buried hurts, resentment or hidden sins. Please help us open our hearts so you can sweep them clean of everything that offends you. Amen!