Making Amends

God is very big on making amends. In terms of priorities, Jesus says you should picture this: You are standing at the altar getting ready to present a gift to God. You then remember someone has something against you. Jesus says you should drop everything, first go and make amends with this person, then come back and present your gift. Needless to say, making amends is a big deal to God! Making amends is not just about expressing our opinion but also in seeking to understand the other party. And remember, God doesn’t leave us to figure all this stuff out on our own. He is ready to help us as we seek to make amends. The Holy Spirit will guide us and help us – God’s grace and strength is all we need! His strength is indeed perfect.

Let us pray -

Father,

I have wandered so far from You—
From Your ways, from Your leading,
From Your purpose, and from Your love.

At first, it didn’t seem like a great distance,
But, over time, I have come to realize
My departure has been
Far greater than I could have imagined.

I know I need to return to You,
But now that I see how wide the gap has become,
The way back seems so daunting.

In my reaction to being wounded,
I have behaved in ways that have not only
Injured me but others as well.

I know this is true, and it grieves me.
I am so sorry for having been so hurtful,
Which I acknowledge I had no right to do.
I can see how wayward I have become.

As I begin my long journey back to wholeness,
I know that I need to make amends to those
I have harmed along the way.
It never occurred to me that I might have
Treated others in the same way I have been treated.

Just thinking about this makes my heart sick.
Father, I am so, so sorry for my behavior.
Forgive me; restore my relationship to You and
Be with me as reach out to those I’ve wounded.

Help me learn from my egregious errors,
So that I never feel the compulsion
To drift so far from You again.

In the name of your most Holy Son my Savior I pray,

Amen Jesus! Amen. Amen.

Scripture

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