When you shall stand to pray, forgive, if you have aught against any man.

According to the Gospel of Mark, Jesus links prayer and forgiveness: before turning to God, we lay down the grudge we hold against someone, so as to receive in turn the Father’s forgiveness. Today, before your prayer or tonight before sleeping, think of a person against whom you hold something and say inwardly: “I forgive you,” even if it costs you.