Can only God forgive sin? Sunday Readings B 7 (Y-not question the Sunday Readings)

by judith, Walloon Australia, Sunday, February 19, 2012, 17:34 (459 days ago) @ Jerome

It has been said that unforgiveness is a great barrier to healing, whether we are the ones holding back on forgiving or not receiving what is offered. Does this mean that we, in co-operation with God, have the responsibility to forgive unconditionally if we expect the same from Him?. Isn't that the message in the Our Father? "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us?" I have always thought this is a very dangerous prayer, as we could seem to be tying God's Hands if we hold on to unforgiveness. No one can forgive easily, especially if the hurt is deep and long-standing, yet we try.

There are those for whom we struggle to pray for forgiveness, and I could name a few but won't, yet I must try to pray for forgiveness for them, if I want to be forgiven myself. It can be physically painful to pray this way, and it often means tears. That is the time when I pray what we call the "Lorraine prayer" which was made by a dear friend whose child was murdered and the person charged was acquitted on technicality of evidence(though there isn't much doubt as to his guilt). She said that she had to pray "God, help me to be willing to be willing to forgive" and leave the rest to God.

J A Holznagel