When Jesus taught us to pray “forgive us our debts”, what was He thinking? Since a debt is something owed and unpaid, He was probably thinking of all the things that God deserves from us but doesn’t receive. Day after day, He deserves my whole heart. I give Him part. He deserves my childlike/bridelike trust. I give Him anxiety and independence (same thing). He was thinking how we would all profit from a daily, honest accounting of our failure from the perspective of what God deserves. Painful? Yes. Humbling? Yes. Assuring? Yes. It does not affect our standing with God, but it does affect our fellowship. If prayer is honest conversation between people who love each other, shouldn’t we be honest about what is owed and unpaid? “If you know these things, you will be blessed if you DO them” (John 13) When will you take time to admit your debts and ask the Father to forgive?
