DAILY BENEFITSSample

Watching Against Offense In Prayer I

Offense is one of the strategies Satan uses to hinder a believer's prayer life and effectiveness in the things of the Spirit. This is why Jesus instructed His disciples, after teaching them how to pray and receive, to ensure they forgive when they pray (Mark 11:24-25). Offense can truly render the act of prayer ineffective, making this instruction essential for us today.

While the motivation for forgiveness differs across the Testaments, forgiveness itself remains a key component of effective prayer. In the Old Testament, people were obligated to forgive in order to "earn" God's forgiveness, as seen in Matthew 6:14-15, which is before the death and resurrection of Jesus. Today, the motive has changed. In the New Testament, we forgive because we have already been forgiven by God, as seen in Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13.

Notice the difference: Matthew 6:14-15 says to forgive so that your heavenly Father may forgive you, whereas Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13 say, “as Christ has forgiven you.” The motivation has shifted, and forgiveness is now also the natural expression of our new nature in Christ. The riches of God's grace toward us serve as both our motivation and model for forgiveness.

James describes the prayer of faith as an effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous person (James 5:15-16). Faith works through love (Galatians 5:6), and forgiveness is a hallmark of walking in love. Therefore, the prayer of faith is only possible when our hearts are free from offense.

In the following studies, we will examine further from God’s Word how offense can prevent us from praying effectively.

Sound code:

Father, I release myself from every clutch of offense rendering my prayers ineffective.