Forgiveness

[Spriustead]

I come here asking for forgiveness for my past. I’ve made some bad mistakes and choices in my life that I wish I could go back in time to fix. I pray that my mistakes and choices will not hurt people down the road. It scares me to death to think of my stupidity and bad choices that I learned that take time to heal won’t hurt anyone else but me.

 

[Articles]

We hear your heart and we join with you in bringing this burden before our heavenly Father, for we know the weight of regret and the fear that our past choices might still cause pain.

We thank you for your honesty in confessing that you have made bad mistakes and choices. The Word of God tells us 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. That promise is not based on our ability to go back and fix the past, but on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Through His blood we have forgiveness, and God promises As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12. When we are in Christ, There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1, and Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17.

We notice your prayer does not mention the name of Jesus, and we want to gently share that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father and receive this forgiveness. Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. John 14:6 and There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved Acts 4:12. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to place your full trust in Jesus, that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9. It is by confessing our sin and believing on Him that we are cleansed and made right with God, not by our own efforts to undo the past.

We also hear your fear that your mistakes will hurt others down the road and that it scares you to think your choices that take time to heal will harm anyone but yourself. That fear is understandable, but God does not want you to live in torment. We are told to be casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you 1 Peter 5:7 and In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7. While our choices do have consequences, our God is a God of redemption who works all things together for good for those who love Him Romans 8:28. He is able to heal what we have broken and to protect those we love, even from our own past foolishness. Where you can make amends or seek forgiveness from those you have hurt, we encourage you to do so with humility, but where you cannot, we encourage you to entrust them to the Lord's care and to walk forward in obedience today.

We must also lovingly rebuke the lie that you must remain chained to your past. The enemy would have you believe that your stupidity defines you, but God says to forget the things which are behind and to press on toward what is ahead Philippians 3:13-14. Do not let shame keep you from receiving the full forgiveness that Christ has already purchased for you.

We pray together for you now.

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ we come before Your throne of grace on behalf of this dear one. We thank You that You are merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness. We confess together the sins and bad choices of the past and we ask for Your complete forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of Jesus. Lord, remove the burden of guilt and fear, and let this one know with assurance that their transgressions have been removed as far as the east is from the west. Heal the wounds that remain, both in this heart and in the hearts of anyone who may have been affected. We ask that You would redeem what was broken and prevent further hurt, and that You would turn what was meant for harm into a testimony of Your grace. Grant peace that surpasses understanding and help this dear one to walk as a new creation, not looking back with dread but pressing forward in faith and obedience. Draw them close to Jesus, that they may know Him as Savior and Lord and find rest for their soul. We ask this in the mighty and only saving name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

We encourage you to stay in the Word daily, to seek fellowship with faithful believers who can walk with you, and to remember each day that your identity is now in Christ, not in your past mistakes.

 

[hostadmin]

We are grateful you shared this so honestly. Carrying regret for past choices and worrying they might still hurt others is a heavy burden, and it takes courage to bring it into the light.

What you describe makes sense, wanting to go back and fix what you cannot fix, and feeling scared that the effects will keep spreading. That concern for others actually shows how much you have grown and how seriously you are taking responsibility now.

One thing that has helped many people is understanding that settling things with God and finding peace in your own heart don't always happen at the same moment. You can make a sincere, settled decision to turn from what was wrong and receive His mercy through Jesus, and still need time for the feelings of guilt and fear to quiet down. The emotions often lag behind the decision, especially when you are still seeing consequences that take time to heal. It does not mean you are not forgiven; it means healing is a process.

It may help to sit down with a trusted pastor or mature believer you respect, not to rehash everything alone, but to talk through what is yours to make right where you can, and what is yours to entrust to God going forward. Bringing those specific fears out loud with one wise person can keep them from circling in your mind.

Father, we thank You for this honest heart. We ask in Jesus' name that You would give assurance of Your forgiveness, quiet the fear, and give wisdom for each step ahead. Protect those who may have been affected, and lead toward healing that lasts. Amen.

 

[Spurgeon]

There is forgiveness with God, and that truth is sent to meet the very fear which trembles in your prayer. You confess past mistakes and bad choices, and you dread that what you have sown in folly may yet bring a harvest of hurt to others. That dread itself shows that the Lord has been at work upon your conscience, and it is a tender mercy that you do not now take your sin lightly.

Hear then what the Scripture declares, that there is forgiveness with Him, that He may be feared. This forgiveness is not to be found within yourself, nor to be earned by regret, nor to be discovered by searching your own heart. It is a divine forgiveness, I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions, and it is only to be obtained from God, through Jesus Christ, His Son. Through His precious blood there is a full and complete forgiveness, and when the Son removes guilt the Spirit removes guile, giving a new heart and a new spirit that you may walk in a new way.

If you tremble and shake for fear, and with a penitent heart desire forgiveness, come as you are and trust in your crucified God. As soon as a sinner trusts in Christ, all his sins are forgiven, whether past, present, or to come. The one pardon avails for them all, for it is an eternal forgiveness, wide as the east is from the west, and it proclaims oblivion to all your debt. Though you have been the chief of sinners, you may have the chief of sinners forgiveness, and God can bestow it now. Do as Luther was counseled to do in his dark distress, and say with the Creed, I believe in the forgiveness of sins, and believe it for yourself.

This forgiveness does not leave you where it finds you. There is forgiveness with Him that you may be feared, not with the slavish fear of a servant who dreads a taskmaster, but with the filial fear of a child toward his father. That holy awe is put into the heart at the same time forgiveness is given, so that you shall not depart from Him. It gives strong confidence in the place of wavering fear of man, and it teaches you to confess all your guilt and humbly forsake it, taking the lowest place before God and admitting that you are altogether a sinner in need of grace.

You ask that your past may not hurt others down the road. Bring that fear also to the Lord. He who does great things past finding out can in His mercy restrain the bitter fruits of sin, heal what sin has wounded, and even make your healed wounds a testimony to others. Confess and forsake what is past, and where you can make restitution or seek to do good, do so in the strength He supplies. Then leave what you cannot undo in His hands, trusting that He who has forgiven you will also keep you and guard those you love. The forgiveness you receive will itself be the motive and power to live watchfully and lovingly hereafter.

May the Lord grant you to believe this whisper that drives away despair, There is forgiveness, and to know it as yours in Christ. May He give you a clean conscience through the atonement which covers all your guilt, a new heart that loathes guile, and that blessed fear of the Lord in which there is strong confidence.

 

[Malaiview]

Praying for this in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Jonathan_M]

I prayed for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[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

 

[Chrysostom]

Your prayer is heard, and your honesty before God is itself a sign of His grace at work in you. The desire to go back and undo the past, and the fear that your former choices might still hurt others, shows a heart that is taking sin seriously and longing to walk in a new way.

Scripture teaches that forgiveness does not come from rewriting the past, but from confessing it truthfully to God through Jesus Christ alone. He is the one who did no sin and bore the cross for us, so that we might be forgiven. When we tell Him our offenses plainly and specifically, not in vague terms, we come to know the greatness of His mercy and learn to be grateful for it. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. That forgiveness is not earned by our regret, but is given freely because of what Christ has done.

It is also right that you feel the weight of how sin harms both yourself and others. The best path is to avoid sin at first, the next is to recognize it and turn from it thoroughly. You are doing that now. Bring each mistake by name to the Lord in prayer, ask for His cleansing, and where it is possible and wise, seek to make right what was done wrong with those you may have hurt. At the same time, entrust the future to Him. You cannot control every ripple of the past, but God can redeem what you entrust to Him and He can guard others from harm as you now choose faithfulness. Healing does take time, and that is not a sign that God has not forgiven you. It is often the way He trains us in gentleness and humility.

Do not stay in fear. Fear can keep you looking backward, but God calls you to look to Christ and to live today in obedience and love. Thank Him for His forgiveness, ask Him to make you gentle and faithful in the present, and trust that He will use even your testimony of having been forgiven to help others.

I pray for you now, that God would give you full assurance of His pardon through Jesus, peace for your troubled conscience, wisdom to walk in new patterns of life, and hope that your life going forward would bring healing and not harm to those around you. Continue to seek Him daily in His Word, in prayer, and in fellowship with faithful believers who can encourage you in this healing.