We all pray for forgiveness at some point in our lives. Forgiveness is a priceless gift that is both difficult to get and difficult to give. Forgiveness is necessary for life; it liberates us from the wrongs of the past and gives us hope for the future. Jesus Christ came to earth to die for people for the cause of forgiveness.
A prayer of forgiveness is one that is offered to God. Though we may do direct harm to one another, all of our sins eventually harm God. You might be wondering how this is feasible. How can our flaws harm the all-powerful Creator of the universe? Is God even concerned? In Genesis 6, we find God Himself weeping over all the wrongs that men had done to one another: “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart” (Genesis 6:5-6).
God, who is all-knowing, weeps even at the notion of wickedness. As a result, final forgiveness must come from God. However, forgiveness cannot be freely granted because of His justice. In order for God to be a just judge, every wrong must be accounted for. Jesus Christ died on the cross at Calvary in our place, allowing us to be absolved of our sins. His agony atoned for our faults. “For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28).
God understood, in His compassion, that our conscience needed to be cleansed of shame and condemnation. He saw that forgiveness of sins was our most pressing need. In the ultimate act of love, God not only bore the sorrow of our wrongs but also paid for their consequences, so that we can be forgiven when we transgress. All we have to do is accept His undeserved gift of forgiveness.
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What is Forgiveness
To forgive is “to cease to feel resentment against (an offender), to pardon, to give up resentment of or claim to requital (payback), and to grant relief from payment of.” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.
When we have been mistreated or wronged, it is not easy to forgive; nonetheless, we are in dire need of God’s forgiveness. We would undoubtedly perish in our sins without it! Through the atoning death of Jesus, God, in his kindness and mercy, has offered us forgiveness. Now, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we have the ability to pardon others as well.
Jesus Teaches about Forgiveness
Jesus spoke extensively about forgiving others. He demonstrated to his followers how we should love our adversaries through the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 of the Sermon on the Mount.
Later on in this sermon, he talked about how we should relate to other people. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24
Jesus makes it abundantly plain in his word that we cannot worship God in spirit and in reality until there has been peace restored within our family or church group. Jesus included a section of the Lord’s Prayer that addresses forgiveness when he taught his disciples how to pray. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us (Matt 6:11-12). This wonderful prayer teaches us that forgiveness is a two-way street. We must humbly ask God for forgiveness, and he will empower us to pardon those who have wronged us.
Ask God for Forgiveness
Perhaps you came across our website while looking for a prayer of forgiveness to comfort a troubled soul. Perhaps you are struggling to forgive someone who has profoundly damaged you. Forgiveness has been freely provided to anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. God will forgive us if we admit our mistakes and seek for forgiveness: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
In essence, if we renounce Jesus, we renounce God’s offer of pardon. In reality, what we’re saying is that we don’t want to make things right with God (1 John 1:10). We have the freedom to choose whether or not to accept God’s forgiveness, yet at the end of this life, we shall all be held accountable for our sins. God sincerely wants to make amends with you. “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life,” the Bible says in John 3:16.
Think about what Jesus said and really embrace Him as your Lord and Savior if you want to be truly pardoned. God will forgive you and start working on changing your life.
How can we Forgive Others?
At times, it can seem nearly hard to forgive people who have wronged us. Even when we do make an effort to make amends and extend forgiveness to others, the hurt in our hearts takes time to heal, and some relationships will never be the same. How can we truly make amends with those who have wounded us? There is no doubt that we cannot accomplish this on our own.
Thank God, the Holy Spirit empowers us with all that we require to live a life of love, grace, and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
We don’t want to spend our lives in a similar way to the angry servant in the parable who refused to forgive one of his fellow servants despite being pardoned by his master for a significant debt. Living in total surrender to God is the only way we may live our lives free from the deadly roots of resentment and unforgiveness.
Do you recall when Jesus was crucified? He managed to say these impactful remarks about his assailants despite his suffering and pain: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Jesus prayed in Luke 23:34.
Through the mercy and power of God, we may forgive those who have wronged us because the same force that raised Jesus from the dead resides inside us.
How to Forgive Yourself
Have you ever been angry with yourself for anything you did? You don’t have to keep replaying that scenario in your head and living in defeat after you’ve begged God to pardon you for the wrong you’ve done. Once you have pleaded for pardon, the matter is resolved!
I particularly adore the section in Psalm 103:11–12 that so elegantly expresses it. “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us”.
Thank the Lord that He has forgiven us of our sins forever. God does not forget, yet he chooses to overlook our transgressions. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:12
Why do we constantly remind ourselves of our faults if God chooses not to recall them? Those who are in Christ are NOT condemned (Romans 8:1). We have a merciful God who allows us to live each day in genuine freedom and forgiveness.
Prayer for Forgiveness
A Daily Prayer for Forgiveness
Almighty God and Heavenly Father. I have a sin to confess that weighs heavily on my heart. Because I am a sinful human, I am not always the person you want me to be. I’ve made mistakes in the past, both by what I did and didn’t do, and I’m here before you today to confess them. Lord, heed my petition and pardon my shortcomings. Help me to improve so that I won’t make the same errors again. Assist me in living a life that more accurately represents you. Because you are trustworthy, just, and kind. O Lord, please pardon me and cleans my heart out of mercy. Amen.
A Prayer to Help You Forgive Others
Only you, Father, know the extent to which this person’s actions have wounded me. I don’t want to endure this suffering any longer. I don’t want to have a sour disposition. But in order to let go of my hurt and forgive those who have wronged me, I need your grace and the power of the cross. The pivotal moment is at hand. I need to first feel your forgiveness. You are aware of all the ways I have wronged others, and I sincerely apologize. Jesus, I appreciate you dying for me. I embrace your forgiveness and grace, and I depend on them every day. I’m choosing to forgive in the same manner in which you have forgiven me as I turn to you today. I’ll keep forgiving that individual until the hurt is gone, every time the recollection returns. Your grace, please, heal my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer for Repentant Heart
Father in Heaven, Today, let Psalm 51 be my heart’s cry: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” Rekindle in me a loyal spirit.” When I feel weighed down by sin in my life, I will seek your forgiveness to achieve freedom.
Please forgive me for allowing sin to take hold of me. Thank you for promising not to “reject a shattered and remorseful heart.” You sent your son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins in order for me to be forgiven. Thank you so much for that wonderful gift! Lord, accept this repentance prayer as I turn away from sin and convey my brokenness to you. Thank you for reuniting me with my family.
Prayer for Forgiving When You Can’t Forget
Thank you, God. We do not deserve your pardon. Every day, we sin and fall short of what you have planned for us. We are unworthy of your mercy, but you extend it to us every day.
Thank you, Lord, that when we repent and seek forgiveness, you no longer remember our transgressions. Lord, even though we still remember and may never forget hurt, you have set the best example of forgiveness for us. You sent your son to walk the same earth as we do, to suffer the same pain and betrayal, and yet He chose to forgive.
Help us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Remind us that prayer is one of our most powerful weapons and that by praying for our adversaries on a regular basis, you will begin to soften our hearts and give us the strength to forgive them.
Short Prayer to Forgive Yourself
Father, I come to you today to ask forgiveness for all the terrible and hurtful things I’ve said about myself. I don’t want to mistreat myself like this again. Transform my ideas and show me how magnificently you created me. Change my habits so that I breathe hope and favor into my life with my tongue. In the name of Jesus, Amen
A Prayer for Repentance of Angry Words
Father, Your Word says so much about the sin of rage, yet we succumb to it all the time when our selfishness is tested. I repent for sinning against those created in Your image by not putting them first and allowing my words to cause hurt.
In my marriage, this is especially true. I let my pride lead me to uncontrollable rage by lashing out and interfering in our disagreements. Help me to follow Your wisdom of being slow to speak and quick to listen so that my anger does not drive me to behave unrighteously toward my spouse and my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for Your grace in enabling me to walk more like Christ.
A Prayer for Peace in Relationships
Dear Jesus, Thank you for being a God who is both loving and forgiving. I appreciate your example of living and walking in peace and forgiveness. I eagerly await opportunities to live in harmony with everyone. Although the world has taught me to carry grudges, I prefer to follow your path. Lord, search my heart and reveal to me everyone with whom I have unfavorable feelings. I seek guidance on how to create peace and walk free of bitterness. Give me a heart for those I don’t understand and assist me to live in your love always. Assist me in doing my part to live in harmony with everyone. In the name of Jesus, Amen.