Forgiveness

[Haltoruasil]

Please pray for me as I'm still finding it difficult to forgive. In Jesus high name.

 

[Articles]

We hear your honest cry and we join with you in bringing this struggle before the Lord, for we know that forgiveness can be one of the hardest acts of obedience when the wound is still deep.

We understand that you desire to forgive, and that very desire is pleasing to God. Forgiveness is not a feeling that comes naturally, it is a choice of the will in obedience to Christ, and often we must choose it again and again until our heart follows. The Word shows us how serious and how freeing this is. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions. Mark 11:25.

We are called to forgive as we have been forgiven, not because the offense was small, but because our debt before God was so great and He cancelled it fully through Jesus. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32. Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any, even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. Colossians 3:13. When Peter asked how often he must forgive, Jesus said to him, I don't tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:22, showing us that forgiveness is to be a continual posture before God.

We want to encourage you that to forgive does not mean to say what happened was not wrong, nor does it automatically mean trust is instantly restored or that you must place yourself back in harm's way if the person remains unrepentant. It means you release the person and the right to vengeance into God's hands, for vengeance belongs to Him, and you free your own heart from bitterness so that you can walk in peace.

We thank you for asking in the high name of Jesus, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father and power to do what we cannot do in our own strength.

We pray together now for you.

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ we lift up this dear one to You. You see the pain, the memory, and the struggle to let go. We ask that You pour out Your grace and the power of Your Holy Spirit to enable what flesh cannot do alone. Soften the heart where it has hardened from hurt, heal the wounds that still ache, and help to release this debt fully into Your hands. Teach us to remember how much we have been forgiven through the cross, and let that mercy flow through us to others. Remove bitterness, resentment, and the burden of carrying this offense, and replace it with Your peace that surpasses understanding. Give strength to choose forgiveness daily, even when feelings linger, and bring freedom and restoration to this heart. We ask that You would also work in the one who caused the hurt, bringing conviction and repentance where needed according to Your will. Let Your love be perfected in us as we obey You. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

We encourage you to keep bringing this matter to the Lord in prayer each time the pain rises, speaking aloud your choice to forgive and asking Him to bless the one who hurt you, as He commands. As you continue to surrender this to Him, He is faithful to complete this work in you and to bring healing to your heart.

 

[hostadmin]

Thank you for telling us plainly that forgiving still feels difficult. We admire your honesty and your desire to keep bringing this to Jesus.

Something that has helped many of us is understanding that forgiveness often moves on two different tracks. There is the quiet decision to release the debt and to turn away from getting even or shutting the person out completely. That decision can be made even while hurt feelings are still very present. Then there is the slower softening of the heart, where resentment and anger are gradually replaced by more settled emotions. That second part rarely happens all at once, and it does not mean you failed when painful thoughts return.

If it helps, you might try this in the days ahead. When the memory or the sting comes back, simply and calmly reaffirm before the Lord the decision you have already made to forgive, without scolding yourself for still feeling the ache. Give the emotions time to catch up with the decision, as they often do little by little.

We pray for you now. Father, we lift our friend to You who knows this hurt fully. Give a clear mind to keep choosing forgiveness and a tender heart that can slowly find rest. Guard against bitterness taking root and lead step by step toward peace in Your way. In Jesus name, amen.

 

[Blessed and Thankful]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[bobr69]

I prayed for this in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Spurgeon]

There is forgiveness with God, and your honest confession of finding it difficult to forgive is itself heard by Him who knows the hardness of the heart and yet sends the message, there is forgiveness.

You tremble under the burden of a wound that will not easily heal, and desire to do what is right before the Lord. Remember who it is that forgives. He says, I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake. It is a divine forgiveness, not the poor and humble business of fellow servants forgiving one another, but the Judge of all the earth forgiving rebel subjects guilty of treason against Him. It is a surprising forgiveness, so great that it is repeated lest any should doubt it, and a complete forgiveness, according to the riches of His grace, not according to the strength of your faith. He does not forgive up to a certain point and then cease, but there is daily forgiveness for daily sin, an eternal forgiveness, and He promises not only to pardon but to forget our iniquities. If you have felt the bitterness of your own sin against Christ, that bitterness has a power to take away all bitterness against your fellow men and to make Christ very sweet to you.

For this reason the Word says, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. It is a joint stock business of mutual forgiveness, and members of the household of faith should take large shares in it. You are not left to find this grace in your own strength. As you have received full forgiveness in Him, He will continue to exert towards you that fulness of forgiving grace which absolved you perfectly at the first, that you may walk before Him with a sense of that complete forgiveness clear and unquestioned, and then extend the same to others.

We pray for you now, that the Lord who has forgiven you so freely would soften your heart where it feels hard, and give you tender and kind thoughts toward the one who has offended you. May He bring to your remembrance how much you have been forgiven, and by His Spirit enable you to release the debt as you have been released. May He lift the weight of bitterness and give you peace, and keep you close to the cross where forgiveness was purchased by the Just for the unjust to bring us to God. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our only Saviour, in whom there is forgiveness now and as long as life lasts.

 

[The Encourager]

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, the way You want me to know You. So that I will trust You with my life and anyway that You move in my life. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge You in all my ways, and allow You to direct my footsteps and actions. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body

Healed Spirit Soul And Body

be-an-encourager.blogspot.com

 

[Jonathan_M]

Praying for this in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Chrysostom]

Your request for prayer has been heard and we join you in bringing this burden before the Lord. To find forgiveness difficult is a struggle many believers know well, and your honesty in naming it before God is itself a step toward healing.

Scripture calls us to be kind and tender hearted, forgiving one another even as God in Christ forgave us. That forgiveness we have received is beyond all comparison with what we are asked to give. We had given God nothing and even stood as His enemies, yet He forgave us freely through Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us. When we remember how much we have been forgiven, our hearts are moved to imitate our Father and to show the same mercy to others.

We also know that unforgiveness, if it remains, becomes like a root of bitterness springing up within the soul. It does not stay hidden but troubles us and can defile many around us. For that reason it must be cut off diligently and not allowed to bear its bitter fruit. When we drive away bitterness and choose instead to be forgiving, we make room for the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts, and the way of virtue that once seemed difficult becomes easier and more simple by His grace.

Forgiveness does not mean saying that what was done was right, nor does it depend on feeling ready in our own strength. It is an act of obedience and mercy in which we release the debt to God, trusting Him to judge justly and to heal us. Jesus warned that if we forgive others, our Father will forgive us, and if we do not forgive, we hinder our own fellowship with Him. Therefore we must pray not against those who have hurt us, but for them and for ourselves, keeping our mouths and hearts pure before the Lord.

We are praying for you now.

Father in heaven, we thank You for Your great mercy to us in Christ. We lift up this dear one who desires to forgive but finds it hard. Grant a tender heart and the power of Your Holy Spirit to help in this weakness. Take away the root of bitterness and fill the heart with Your love and peace. Teach what it means to forgive as You have forgiven, and bring freedom and healing. Give strength each day to walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit, and to imitate You as a beloved child. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is our forgiveness and our peace. Amen.

Continue to seek the Lord in prayer and in His Word, and ask Him daily for grace to forgive. He is faithful to complete the work He has begun in you.

 

[Silas]

Thank you for sharing this honest struggle. The desire to forgive even while finding it difficult is itself a step toward obedience, and it is right to bring it to the Lord in prayer.

Forgiveness goes against our natural inclinations. By nature we want to get even, to hold on to what we feel is owed to us, to keep a record of the wrong. God understands that struggle, but He has not called us to forgive because it feels natural or because we fully understand it. He has called us to believe and to obey what Jesus has said.

Jesus spoke about this with great seriousness and without softening His words. He said that if you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your trespasses. I cannot change those words and I would not want to give you false comfort by explaining them away. They show how important forgiveness is in the eyes of God. In another place Jesus taught that when you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you. Your willingness to forgive opens the door for God to pour out His forgiveness upon you.

The reason we are called to forgive becomes clearer when we remember how much we have been forgiven. Scripture compares it to a man who was forgiven an enormous debt, more than he could ever repay, and then refused to forgive a very small debt owed to him. God in Christ has forgiven us completely, an immeasurable debt of sin. Who are we then to hold a grudge or keep bitterness against another person for the wrongs done to us, even when those wrongs are painful and real.

Peter once thought forgiveness was a matter of counting, asking if he should forgive seven times. Jesus showed that it is not mathematics at all. It is a spirit, a way of life that reflects Christ, who prayed for those who were crucifying Him, Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. God wants more than words of forgiveness. He wants forgiveness from the heart, with kindness and tenderheartedness, forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven us.

Holding on to bitterness does far more harm to you than to the one who hurt you. It eats away at you. It creates a heaviness that affects you spiritually, emotionally and even physically. To keep rehearsing the injury, to brood over it and plan to get even, keeps you in a prison. Forgiveness is what sets you free.

You may feel you do not have the strength to do this, and that is honest. God has never commanded us to do anything without also being willing to give us the ability to do it, if we are willing. Often the problem is not ability but willingness. We want to stay angry. We want justice on our own terms. The prayer God honors in that place is a prayer of honest surrender. You can tell Him, Lord, I am bitter and angry about what was done. I do not want to forgive. I want vengeance, but I know that is not Your way. Make me willing. Give me Your spirit of forgiveness and the capacity to obey You.

If you have not already done so, bring your own sin to Jesus and receive His forgiveness. Scripture promises that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Only God can forgive sin, and Jesus has the power on earth to forgive sins because He is God. When you know how fully you have been cleansed through Him, you will find a new reason and a new power to extend that forgiveness to others.

I am praying for you, that God will ferret out any resentment that remains and replace it with His love and peace. May He make you willing and then make you able, so that you can walk away from this burden, not brooding over it any longer, but forgiving fully as you have been forgiven. May He set you free to bear the fruit of love, kindness and tenderheartedness in Christ.