Forgiveness for others

[GHooooST]

Jesus said when on the cross (I think) "forgive them father for they know not what they do... "

Can we do the same as that? Can I ask God to forgive other people when they sin? I do that a lot, and I dont see anything wrong with that. Perhaps Im wrong. Ive also asked for the blessing on a friends meal (in my head) before because they arent christians. Is that wrong or bad also?

Can someone clear the air please? God Bless!

 

[kenwyn]

In Acts 7:59–60 Stephen said a very similar prayer as he is was killed

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.​

We are called to forgive others because God has forgiven us. The parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18 makes that very clear for us.

Asking God to forgive others their sins is a great way to pray. That kind of prayer comes from somebody who cares about justice, but wants nothing to do with being judgemental.

It also equates to praying for their salvation. The only way wrong turn you could make is to start to think that your prayers for forgiveness on your friends' behalf overrides their need to turn to God in repentance.

 

[Chad]

Yes, we are to pray for others including GOD's grace on them. But let's not get confused, they are still responsible for confessing their own sins. No man can seek GOD's forgiveness on behalf of others' ultimately in the end. They must confess their sins to GOD in the end and seek forgiveness.

I believe when you pray that GOD forgives them, it is [supposed to be] a Christ-like act of love, forgiveness for the wrong done to you by them.

Brother kenwyn summed it up nicely, I agree.

 

[christserf]

1Jo 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

Mat 18:18-20 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Jesus said when on the cross (I think) "forgive them father for they know not what they do... "

Can we do the same as that? Can I ask God to forgive other people when they sin? I do that a lot, and I dont see anything wrong with that. Perhaps Im wrong. Ive also asked for the blessing on a friends meal (in my head) before because they arent christians. Is that wrong or bad also?

Can someone clear the air please? God Bless!

Ghooost: We ask God to forgive those who have sinned against us personally. That's what Jesus was doing when, from the cross, he prayed "Father forgive them....."

As for the other people, the thing to pray for is that they would be drawn close to Him. I don't think it is our place to ask God to forgive another's sins if we are not a victim of their sin. God is always one of the victims of sin. This verse applies both in the positive sense and in the negative sense: "Whatever you do to the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you do also to me." (Mt 25:40).

SLE

 

[ChristineES]

Jesus always said that God will forgive those who forgive others, and show mercy to those who have been shown mercy. That kind of forgiveness is demanded of us who follow Christ! It isn't always easy, but sometimes it helps to remember we have done worse things to God!