can you sleep without praying the Lord's Prayer?

There was once a little girl, who had many times forgiven her mean brother, but on this one occasion refused to forgive him. This particular day her brother had hurt her feelings and she became very upset. She left the room ignoring him. The childrens’ uncle was upset with them knowing that they weren’t talking to each other. When evening came the girl was getting ready for bed. The uncle approached neice and told her that she couldn’t pray the “Our Father” if she didn’t have a pure heart, and if she didn’t forgive everyone that had hurt her during the day. Once the Young girl realized the truth in what her uncle said, she felt sorrow in her heart and so ran to her brother, kissed his cheek and said: “I can’t sleep without praying the Lord’s prayer.”

Can you sleep without praying ”Our Father”?

Can you sleep well, knowing that you have had an argument with someone or that you’re angry with someone? To forgive is to love, and God is love (1 Joh. 4.8). When the uncle told the girl she couldn’t pray “Our Father” because of the conflict with her brother he referred to “forgive us our trespasses” in the Lord’s prayer. God forgives all of our faults and flaws but on one condition, “as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.” This is the requirement needed to be forgiven. We have to forgive them who do us wrong.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt 6:14-15).

“Be angry and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. (Eph 4:26-27).

Make amends with those whom you have hurt or whom have hurt you, before the sun goes down. Don’t allow problems to grow and become as mountains, instead solve the problem straight away. Sometimes, or very often, a misunderstanding is the reason for our conflicts. Therefore, humble yourselves. Swallow your pride and ask for forgiveness. If Jesus didnt allow His greatness and divinity to stand in the way when he washed his disciples feet, should we let our pride stand in the way from forgiving our brothers and sisters?

St Paul implores: ”And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph 4:32).

To forgive is to forget. We ask God to forget our faults and to make them disappear. The kind Prophet David asked God to purify him from his sins.”Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Ps 51:7)

Our Lord promises us, ”For I will lbe merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” (Heb 8:12)

Get up and run to your loved ones, forgiving them, just as the little girl did her brother. Don’t let pride stand in your way.

You want to sleep well tonight don't you?

Written by: Zakia Hanouch

source: http://www.melthodhaye.com/default.asp?itemID=137