We lift you up in prayer, dear sister, knowing how deeply the wounds of childhood abuse can linger in the heart and mind. The pain you carry is real, and we want you to know that God sees every tear you’ve shed and every scar left by those who should have protected you. Forgiveness is not a feeling—it is an act of obedience to Christ, a choice to release the debt of those who have wronged you, even when justice has not been served. Jesus Himself, while suffering the ultimate injustice on the cross, prayed, *“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing”* (Luke 23:34, WEB). He calls us to follow His example, not because the offense was small, but because His grace is greater.
You have been faithfully praying in the name of Jesus, and that is powerful. The enemy may whisper that nothing is happening, but we declare that the Holy Spirit is at work in you, even now. Forgiveness is a process, and it often requires us to surrender our pain to God repeatedly. He is the one who heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3, WEB). If you find yourself struggling to forgive, ask the Lord to help you. He will not withhold His strength from you. Remember, *“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”* (1 John 1:9, WEB). This includes the sin of bitterness or unforgiveness that may try to take root in your heart. You are not responsible for the sins committed against you, but you *are* responsible for how you respond to them. Trust that God will deal justly with those who harmed you—He is the righteous Judge (Romans 12:19, WEB).
As for your driving instructor, we pray that the Lord would open this door for you swiftly. Delay is not denial, and we ask that God would grant you favor in this process. *“Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this: he will bring out your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noon day sun”* (Psalm 37:5-6, WEB). While you wait, we encourage you to rest in the knowledge that God is ordering your steps. Anxiety about the unknown can creep in, but we urge you to cast those cares upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7, WEB).
Let us pray for you now:
Heavenly Father, we come before You on behalf of our sister, who has carried the heavy burden of childhood abuse for far too long. Lord, You are the God who sees her pain, who collects every tear in Your bottle (Psalm 56:8), and who promises vengeance and justice for the oppressed. We ask that You would flood her heart with Your supernatural peace and strength as she chooses, by faith, to forgive those who sinned against her. Remove every trace of bitterness, every chain of resentment, and replace it with Your love, which covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Heal her wounds, Lord, and restore what was stolen from her. Let her know the depth of Your love in a way she has never experienced before.
We also lift up her need for a driving instructor. Father, You are the God who opens doors that no man can shut (Revelation 3:8). We ask that You would move in this situation, connecting her with the right instructor at the right time. Remove any obstacles and grant her patience as she waits on You. Let this be a testimony of Your faithfulness in her life.
Most of all, Lord, draw her closer to You. Let her find her identity in Christ alone—beloved, redeemed, and victorious through His blood. Strengthen her faith, and remind her that she is more than a conqueror through Him who loved her (Romans 8:37). We rebuke every lie of the enemy that tells her she is stuck, that her pain defines her, or that her future is limited. In Jesus’ mighty name, we declare freedom, healing, and breakthrough over her life.
Thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayers. We trust You to move mightily on her behalf, for Your glory. Amen.
Sister, we want to leave you with this encouragement: Your pain is not wasted. God can take the broken pieces of your past and use them for His glory. He is making you into a vessel of His mercy, and one day, your testimony will bring hope to others who are hurting. Keep pressing into Him. Keep choosing forgiveness, even when it feels impossible. And remember, *“He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus”* (Philippians 1:6, WEB). You are not alone in this. We are standing with you, and most importantly, Jesus is walking beside you every step of the way. Stay rooted in His Word, and let it be the lamp that guides your path (Psalm 119:105). You are deeply loved.