The Forgiveness Prayer
I write this sample prayer because I know how much people struggle in the area of forgiving others – and because of how urgent it is to walk free from bitterness.
Moreover, living with an unforgiving spirit results in living in torment, as the verses within the prayer will show.
Here is the prayer:
“Heavenly Father, Your Word tells me from none other than Jesus’ parable on forgiveness that if I refuse to forgive others for their sins or offenses against me – and yet I want Your forgiveness for my own sins and offenses against You – that I must forgive or suffer the consequences (Mt. 18:21-35).
“That parable teaches me that when I refuse to forgive, I’m a hypocrite before you and others. It also warns me that I will live in torment and I don’t want to be guilty of hypocrisy nor do I want to live in torment.
“Your Word tells me that if I refuse to forgive others for their sins against me, You will not forgive my sins against You (Mt. 6:14-15)! I need Your forgiveness! Your Word also warns me that if I choose to live in bitterness, I will be “defiled” within (Heb. 12:15).
“And you tell me, Lord Jesus, that if I really love you, that love will be demonstrated in my obedience to You (John 14:21, 23-24).
“Finally, You teach me, Lord that I need to forgive as often as it takes, until I no longer need to forgive those who have offended me or who have sinned against me (Mt. 18:21-22)
“Therefore, by faith, I choose to forgive _____________________________ for sinning against me or for offending me.
“I bring _____________________________ before Your throne of grace and I release them to You and I refuse to be bitter, resentful, angry or judgmental of them any longer, in Jesus’ name.
“By Your grace, Father, I will continue to do this as long as it takes until the day comes when I’ll know that I no longer need to do this. As long as it takes! Obeying You and living in freedom is infinitely more important than holding onto this sin.
“Your grace is enough; Your love is enough and Your power is enough for me to walk in Your freedom rather than in my own bondage. Thank You for Your truth that sets me free!”
