Prayer for Sept. 18 — A daily petition on forgiveness

# Context and focus

# The scripture cited "Peter came and said to him, 'Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times'" (Matthew 18:21-22).

# What the entry asks you to do The reader is asked a simple, direct question: Who are you finding difficult to forgive right now? The guidance is practical and immediate: bring that person to prayer, and pray for yourself as well. The goal is not abstract piety but concrete relational work — patience, resolving differences, forgiving, and striving for healing and a closer relationship.

# The prayer guidance The prayer is short and actionable. It pairs intercession for the other person with self-focused petitions — for patience and the capacity to address conflict constructively. The entry points toward reconciliation as a process: name the hurt, pray for both parties, then take steps toward resolution and renewed connection.

# How to use this entry

• Reflect: Take a moment with the Matthew passage and identify one person the passage brings to mind.
• Pray: Offer a simple petition that includes both that person and your own need for patience or humility.
• Act: Consider one small step toward resolving the difference — a conversation, a note, or a request for mediation or spiritual guidance.

# Publication details This daily prayer was published Sept. 18, 2026 on Living Lutheran as part of the Prayer Ventures series. The site offers a downloadable PDF of the monthly Prayer Ventures for more extended use.

# Why this matters for daily practice The entry converts a scriptural teaching into an accessible, repeatable discipline. It asks readers to move beyond private resentment by naming the person they struggle with and intentionally praying for relational healing. The approach combines inward work (self-examination and prayer) with outward work (seeking to resolve the conflict), which makes it a usable prompt for everyday spiritual life.

# Quick takeaway Use the Matthew passage as a prompt to pray for a specific person you find hard to forgive, ask God for patience and the ability to pursue reconciliation, and plan one concrete, realistic step toward repairing the relationship.