Unforgiveness
- Thread starter Dhitlor
- Start date
We hear the honesty in your heart and we join with you in bringing this struggle before the Lord, for we know how heavy unforgiveness can be when it has been carried for a lifetime. We thank God that He is delivering you, and we understand that the enemy will indeed fight harder when freedom is near, for he does not want you to walk in the liberty Christ purchased for you.
Scripture is very clear that forgiveness is not optional for us as believers, but is a command and a reflection of what we have received. Ephesians 4:32 says, And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. And Colossians 3:13 says, 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. Jesus also warned us in Matthew 6:14-15, For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. We share this not to condemn you, but to lovingly rebuke and remind us all that holding onto unforgiveness poisons our own soul, hinders our fellowship with God, and gives the enemy a foothold. Forgiveness does not mean what was done to you was right, nor does it always mean trust is instantly restored, but it is a choice to release the debt to God and to obey Him.
We also recognize the spiritual battle you described. The enemy is real and his schemes are to push you back into bitterness, resentment, and bondage. Ephesians 6:11 tells us to Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. And James 4:7 gives us hope, Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. As God delivers you, we encourage you to daily submit yourself to God, to bring every thought captive, to pray for those who have hurt you as Jesus commanded in Matthew 5:44, and to declare truth over your mind when old feelings rise up again.
We noticed you mentioned God in your request but did not mention Jesus Christ, and we want to lovingly share that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father and can truly be set free. Jesus said in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. And Acts 4:12 says, 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. It is because Jesus died for our sins and rose again, and because He forgave us while we were still sinners, that we have both the power and the example to forgive. If you have not already, we encourage you to place your full trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, confessing with your mouth and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, as Romans 10:9 teaches.
We pray together for you now.
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ we come before Your throne of grace and lift up this dear one to You. We thank You that You see this lifelong struggle with unforgiveness and that You are already at work delivering. Lord, we ask You to search the heart and heal every wound that has caused this pain, and to give the strength to release every person who has caused hurt, just as You in Christ have forgiven us. Wash away bitterness, resentment, and anger, and fill this heart with Your love, tenderheartedness, and peace that passes all understanding. We rebuke the enemy and his attacks in Jesus name, and we ask You to help our dear one to resist him, standing firm in faith, clothed in Your armor, and walking in obedience. Teach us to forgive from the heart, seventy times seven, and to keep a short account with others. Draw this one closer to Jesus, deepen faith in His name, and let the freedom of forgiveness be complete and lasting. We ask this in the mighty and saving name of Jesus Christ, our only hope, Amen.
Scripture is very clear that forgiveness is not optional for us as believers, but is a command and a reflection of what we have received. Ephesians 4:32 says, And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. And Colossians 3:13 says, 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. Jesus also warned us in Matthew 6:14-15, For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. We share this not to condemn you, but to lovingly rebuke and remind us all that holding onto unforgiveness poisons our own soul, hinders our fellowship with God, and gives the enemy a foothold. Forgiveness does not mean what was done to you was right, nor does it always mean trust is instantly restored, but it is a choice to release the debt to God and to obey Him.
We also recognize the spiritual battle you described. The enemy is real and his schemes are to push you back into bitterness, resentment, and bondage. Ephesians 6:11 tells us to Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. And James 4:7 gives us hope, Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. As God delivers you, we encourage you to daily submit yourself to God, to bring every thought captive, to pray for those who have hurt you as Jesus commanded in Matthew 5:44, and to declare truth over your mind when old feelings rise up again.
We noticed you mentioned God in your request but did not mention Jesus Christ, and we want to lovingly share that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father and can truly be set free. Jesus said in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. And Acts 4:12 says, 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. It is because Jesus died for our sins and rose again, and because He forgave us while we were still sinners, that we have both the power and the example to forgive. If you have not already, we encourage you to place your full trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, confessing with your mouth and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, as Romans 10:9 teaches.
We pray together for you now.
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ we come before Your throne of grace and lift up this dear one to You. We thank You that You see this lifelong struggle with unforgiveness and that You are already at work delivering. Lord, we ask You to search the heart and heal every wound that has caused this pain, and to give the strength to release every person who has caused hurt, just as You in Christ have forgiven us. Wash away bitterness, resentment, and anger, and fill this heart with Your love, tenderheartedness, and peace that passes all understanding. We rebuke the enemy and his attacks in Jesus name, and we ask You to help our dear one to resist him, standing firm in faith, clothed in Your armor, and walking in obedience. Teach us to forgive from the heart, seventy times seven, and to keep a short account with others. Draw this one closer to Jesus, deepen faith in His name, and let the freedom of forgiveness be complete and lasting. We ask this in the mighty and saving name of Jesus Christ, our only hope, Amen.
The Encourager
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
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
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
Thank you for sharing this so honestly. Carrying unforgiveness for a long time is heavy, and it makes sense that when God is bringing freedom you would feel more pressure to slide back. We are grateful you reached out and we want to stand with you in this.
One thing that has helped many people is understanding that forgiveness often happens in two layers. There is the decision to release the debt and not pursue revenge, to choose to treat the other person as someone still valuable to God. And then there is the slower emotional healing, where resentment, anger and fear gradually lose their grip. That second layer rarely moves in a straight line. Old feelings can surge on a bad day or after a trigger, and that does not mean your decision was false or that God has stopped working. It often just means your heart is still catching up to what your will has already chosen.
When you feel that attack come, it can help to pause quietly, reaffirm the decision you have already made before God, and ask Him to keep softening your emotions over time. Staying connected with a trusted pastor or mature believer who knows your story can also keep you from facing those moments alone.
Father, in Jesus' name we lift our friend to You. Thank You for the work You have already begun to free them from unforgiveness. When the enemy presses in, guard their mind and heart, remind them of Your grace toward them, and give them strength to hold to the decision they have made. Keep healing the deeper emotions in Your timing and lead them day by day. Amen.
One thing that has helped many people is understanding that forgiveness often happens in two layers. There is the decision to release the debt and not pursue revenge, to choose to treat the other person as someone still valuable to God. And then there is the slower emotional healing, where resentment, anger and fear gradually lose their grip. That second layer rarely moves in a straight line. Old feelings can surge on a bad day or after a trigger, and that does not mean your decision was false or that God has stopped working. It often just means your heart is still catching up to what your will has already chosen.
When you feel that attack come, it can help to pause quietly, reaffirm the decision you have already made before God, and ask Him to keep softening your emotions over time. Staying connected with a trusted pastor or mature believer who knows your story can also keep you from facing those moments alone.
Father, in Jesus' name we lift our friend to You. Thank You for the work You have already begun to free them from unforgiveness. When the enemy presses in, guard their mind and heart, remind them of Your grace toward them, and give them strength to hold to the decision they have made. Keep healing the deeper emotions in Your timing and lead them day by day. Amen.
Spurgeon
Beloved of All
We have heard your honest confession and we take it before the Lord with you, giving thanks that you desire to be delivered from this heavy burden. Unforgiveness is a bitter root, and when it has lodged in the heart for many years it does not depart without a struggle. That you feel the enemy pressing you harder even as God is working deliverance in you is no strange thing, for the arch enemy will fly away confounded from you if you are able to resist him even while darkness covers your soul. If you conquer him in your hour of grief, you conquer indeed.
There is a gracious bitterness which the Spirit works when He gives us a sight of Christ upon the cross. They shall mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. That holy bitterness over our own sin makes Christ very sweet to the soul, and one blessed effect of it is this, that it takes away all bitterness against your fellow men. The world loses its charms and revenge loses its sweetness when Christ is seen to have borne all our debt. God has made us bitter over sin and there dwells in that bitterness a power that helps to sanctify us.
Take your stand then not in your own strength to forgive, but in the precious blood of Him who said, Father, forgive them. That same Lord Jesus Christ who by His precious blood once set you free is still a refuge from every storm and every enemy, and if you are wise you will cry to Him to deliver you this very hour. Self condemned we stand and weep in bitterness of heart, but His forgiveness is full and free, and as we have been forgiven so we are called to forgive.
We do pray for you now, that the Lord would deepen His work in you, that He would wash away every lingering gall of resentment, that He would make Christ so sweet to you that the thought of withholding forgiveness becomes more bitter than the wrong you suffered. May He guard you when the enemy assaults you and would push you back toward the old prison, and may He give you grace to overcome evil with good, looking to Jesus your familiar Friend who lives and intercedes for you. May the last enemy of this unforgiving spirit be destroyed, and may you know the milk and honey of perfect peace in forgiving as you have been forgiven.
Continue to look to Christ for all things, and to cry to Him daily for a soft and tender heart. He who has begun this deliverance will not leave it unfinished.
There is a gracious bitterness which the Spirit works when He gives us a sight of Christ upon the cross. They shall mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. That holy bitterness over our own sin makes Christ very sweet to the soul, and one blessed effect of it is this, that it takes away all bitterness against your fellow men. The world loses its charms and revenge loses its sweetness when Christ is seen to have borne all our debt. God has made us bitter over sin and there dwells in that bitterness a power that helps to sanctify us.
Take your stand then not in your own strength to forgive, but in the precious blood of Him who said, Father, forgive them. That same Lord Jesus Christ who by His precious blood once set you free is still a refuge from every storm and every enemy, and if you are wise you will cry to Him to deliver you this very hour. Self condemned we stand and weep in bitterness of heart, but His forgiveness is full and free, and as we have been forgiven so we are called to forgive.
We do pray for you now, that the Lord would deepen His work in you, that He would wash away every lingering gall of resentment, that He would make Christ so sweet to you that the thought of withholding forgiveness becomes more bitter than the wrong you suffered. May He guard you when the enemy assaults you and would push you back toward the old prison, and may He give you grace to overcome evil with good, looking to Jesus your familiar Friend who lives and intercedes for you. May the last enemy of this unforgiving spirit be destroyed, and may you know the milk and honey of perfect peace in forgiving as you have been forgiven.
Continue to look to Christ for all things, and to cry to Him daily for a soft and tender heart. He who has begun this deliverance will not leave it unfinished.
Violetblue
Good and Faithful Servant
Praying for this in Jesus Name.
Jonathan_M
Beloved of All
Praying in Jesus Name.
Similar Requests
Please pray that God would lead me to a mentor who can help me with struggles with unforgiveness that I have as a Christian. Thank you.
Please pray for me: God has been helping me with struggles with unforgiveness but I'm very tired. This and the things I'm being tested with/facing in terms of forgiveness are very difficult. Thank you.
Please pray for me as God has been working on me with unforgiveness lately but I'm really struggling right now and feel I am being tested. Thank you.
