In the last week of His life, the Lord was standing by a fig tree that had shriveled as a result of His curse. It represented Israel, barren of fruit, dried up and cast away from the purpose of God (for now). Almost without warning, the Lord added this word, “whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in Heaven will also forgive you.” (Mark 11:25) Was He still thinking about the tree? Probably. Jesus knew that nothing in all of life will make us more useless and fruitless than unforgivenss. Nothing will shrivel our spiritual strength faster than hate harbored in the heart. Remember, God’s standard is His own forgiveness, full and free, not half-hearted and grudging. If God is Love dare we pray less? Friend, as you pray today are you loving your enemies?
