Guided Prayer

Struggling to Forgive

One · Pause

Be still for a moment. Breathe in slowly, and out slowly — three times. There is no hurry here, and no one is watching.

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10 · KJV

Two · Check in

Who comes to mind? Notice what you feel without judging yourself for it.

Three · Scripture · King James Version

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:31–32 · KJV

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Colossians 3:13 · KJV

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Mark 11:25 · KJV

Four · Reflection

Forgiveness is not pretending it did not hurt, and it does not always mean restored access. It is releasing the debt to God instead of holding it yourself.

Five · Pray this

Lord, You know what was done to me. I cannot forgive by willpower. Take this debt from my hands, heal what was wounded, and make me tenderhearted without making me unwise. In Jesus' name, amen.

Six · Now in your own words

Say the person's name to God and tell Him honestly what it cost you.

Seven · Private journal

What I am releasing, and what boundary is still wise to keep.

Eight · One practical step

Choose one thing you will not rehearse again today.

Before you go

Forgiving may take many prayers. Starting counts.