Jesus, teach me the two aspects of God’s attitudes and character that make it possible for me to have a relationship with Him. Help me understand that both of them deal with the issue of what I and others DESERVE. Teach me that these two God-attitudes-and-character traits are grace and mercy. Help me see that without them, I wouldn’t be able to escape the penalties of all the bad things I have done and all the good things I didn’t do. Help me see that I don’t DESERVE all the wonderful things God is providing me; but, that is what His GRACE is all about. I DO DESERVE to be punished for all the bad I have done and all the good I haven’t done; but, that is what His MERCY is all about.

Jesus, teach me that grace and mercy are ACTIONS; God didn’t just feel gracious and merciful toward me. He didn’t just wish things were better for me. He didn’t just offer His sympathy and try to help me feel better. But God DEMONSTRATES His own love for me in this: While I was still a sinner, Christ DIED for me (Rom 5:8). Teach me that this is different than God just feeling sorry for me; He got involved with me! Teach me that, that is the way I am when I am merciful to others. I must literally forgive them for something they don’t DESERVE being forgiven for. You said in Luke 6:27-28 (NIV): “But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Help me understand that this kind of FAITH-ACTION takes A LOT of the power of God. But, Blessed are the MERCIFUL, for they will be shown mercy.

Jesus, empower me to not be like the man in this illustration. Mat 18:23 (NIV) Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. When you bring me before you, help me to have a merciful heart.

Mat 18:24-27 (NIV) As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. I know I don’t appreciate how much You have forgiven me for and been merciful to me. Help me see the great amount of mercy you have poured out on me.

Mat 18:28-30 (NIV) But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. So much of the time I see other people and how they treat me as being different from how I treat others. Help me see clearly how bad my sins were and how bad my misdeed are now.

Mat 18:31-34 (NIV) When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had MERCY on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. Jesus, whether it is in my thoughts, my feelings, my words, or my deeds, help this to NEVER flow out of me.

Jesus, make it clear to me that this is how Your heavenly Father will treat me unless I forgive my brother from my HEART.

Jesus, as I pray the Lord’s prayer, I say, forgive me my debts, AS I also have forgiven my debtors (Mat 6:12). Show me that what I am saying when I pray this is, use the same type of forgiveness on me that I use on others. That means I need to be sure I use God’s power-forgiveness as He brings each issue of unforgiveness into my memory. After The Lord’s Prayer, You go on to say that if I forgive men when they sin against me, my heavenly Father will also forgive me. But if I do not forgive men their sins, my Father will not forgive my sins (Mat 6:14-15).” But, help me see tht I can’t just forgive people; I have to give them grace and mercy. In my relationship with them, I need Your power to give them things they don’t deserve (grace). And, I must not punish them for things they do deserve (mercy).

Jesus, help me suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If I say to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but I do nothing about his physical needs, what good is it (James 2:15-16)? Help me not try to make sure they deserve my help; help me not wonder why they don’t have clothes and food in the first place. Help me not think about how hard I had to work to earn the supplies I am giving to them FOR FREE. But, help me take ACTION and put my mercy into play by helping those who actually don’t deserve my help.

Jesus, teach me how to not give dogs what is sacred; help me not throw my pearls to pigs. If I do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear me to pieces (Mat 7:6). As You take me into grace and mercy, help me always understand that there are people who take advantage of them. They can turn the grace and mercy in my life into making me a slave to them. Teach me a win/win lifestyle.

Jesus help me understand that when I am persecuted in one place, I am to flee to another. You are telling me the truth, I will not finish going through the cities of Israel before You, the Son of Man comes (Mat 10:23). Teach me that if people aren’t receptive to me, my life, and my message, and my grace and mercy, I am to get away from them and find those who want what I have. Teach me the principle in 2 Thessalonians 3:2 (NIV): And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. Make it clear to me that grace and mercy are to be provided to everyone I come in contact with and who come into contact with me. BUT, if I am faced with an evil person, help me adminster grace and mercy, then help me get away from them as fast as I can.