To Be Willing to Forgive
Father, I pray for (name one or more) and
others in my circle of family and friends
to take their need to forgive seriously...
Unforgiveness is a sin that affects many lives, and the hurts they've suffered seem to justify it by worldly standards. But I ask that You help these I'm praying for to rise above the principles of the world and to live as Jesus taught, loving their enemies—those who hurt them—and forgiving unconditionally from their hearts. (Matthew 5:44; 18:21–35)
Help them be willing to forgive those who have sinned against them so they may ask You to forgive them as they have forgiven others. If they hold anything against anyone, help them to forgive—just as in Christ You have forgiven them. May every hurt that grieves them be forgiven. (Matthew 6:12; Mark 11:25; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13)
When forgiveness is impossible in their own strength, may they be willing to receive Your strength to forgive—for through Christ they have strength for anything. (Philippians 4:13)
Help them see that forgiveness is not an emotion—they don't have to feel like forgiving—but an act of will, made possible by the power of the Spirit who lives within them. (Ephesians 3:16)
In Jesus' name, amen.
Unforgiveness is a sin that affects many lives, and the hurts they've suffered seem to justify it by worldly standards. But I ask that You help these I'm praying for to rise above the principles of the world and to live as Jesus taught, loving their enemies—those who hurt them—and forgiving unconditionally from their hearts. (Matthew 5:44; 18:21–35)
Help them be willing to forgive those who have sinned against them so they may ask You to forgive them as they have forgiven others. If they hold anything against anyone, help them to forgive—just as in Christ You have forgiven them. May every hurt that grieves them be forgiven. (Matthew 6:12; Mark 11:25; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13)
When forgiveness is impossible in their own strength, may they be willing to receive Your strength to forgive—for through Christ they have strength for anything. (Philippians 4:13)
Help them see that forgiveness is not an emotion—they don't have to feel like forgiving—but an act of will, made possible by the power of the Spirit who lives within them. (Ephesians 3:16)
In Jesus' name, amen.
