Luke 23:34a

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

At the beginning of Jesus’ crucifixion, I suppose just after the soldiers had nailed Him to the cross and stood it up, perhaps while they were casting lots for His garments, He prayed this prayer. What great compassion He had for them, because He knew they didn’t fully understand who He was, or the evil of their sin. But this prayer was not only for the soldiers. I believe it extends to all of us. Thus, whenever we experience God’s forgiveness, I think it is, in part, due to this prayer.