Friday - Forgiveness

Prayer:   O Lord,  Mighty God,  Our Father who art in heaven.  Hallowed by Your name.  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done this day on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  Lead us not into temptation,  but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom,  the power, and the glory.  Forever. Amen.

Topic #3:  Forgive

Forgiveness is so important as a Christian.  While we have already been forgiven through the death of Jesus Christ,  being able to come into the presence of God and say, “Forgive me”  is extremely healing for us.     In order for each of us to be able to say “thank you God”, we need to forgive ourselves and others.   The Forgiveness Prayer exercise today is an easy one but a thorough exercise.

On the left hand side of the chart below,  write the name of the person and  what they have done to you.  Add anyone you can think of on this list…. From the driver who didn’t stop to let you cross the road to the new comer that sat in your pew last Sunday to the irate phone call you received from a friend.

The more we forgive the more healing can be done. 

Name of Person                                                    Forgiveness

When you are done writing the names on the left hand side of your paper, start writing on the right hand side this phrase

 Dear _________, I do forgive you for _____________ and I set you free.  I do forgive myself for feeling hurt/ angry/  violated and I do set myself free.

Wait until you feel different in anyway when you think about that person.  Then go to the next name on your list.  Sometimes the list is a few names and sometimes the list is pages long.   But remember,  the more we forgive the more of God’s love we share.  Forgiveness means gratitude.  And the more gratitude we hold in our hearts, the easier it is to share the love of God with others.  

End your  Forgiveness Prayer exercise with this  prayer: 

God of all Graciousness,  I thank you that I can come to you with heavy burdens and You take all my burdens  from me.  Thank you Great God that you have taken my sorrows and anger and replace them with Your forgiveness and love.   May I too be the love of God to all those that I meet this day.  Assist me as you assisted the early Apostles and Church leaders to find blessings and opportunities even in the most challenging experiences.  In Jesus’ Name I pray.   Amen.