A prayer of forgiveness

Figure 1: Image credit: Heather Ellis

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. -

@Matthew-18:21-22

I often listen to a lady minister by name of Joyce Myers. Joyce was sexually, mentally, emotionally and verbally abused by her father and yet in his old age she cared for him in the best possible way she could. Her father eventually apologised for what he did to her. Before he passed away she brought him to Christ and baptised him. Each time Joyce talks about her abuse and her journey to forgiveness, I wonder, how a person can be so forgiving and at peace. It can only take the grace of God.

Forgiveness is one of the most challenging commandments that humans have to deal with. We are offended daily by people we love, trust and care about. It is when offence comes from those closest to us that it becomes difficult to forgive. But how do you forgive betrayal from the person you trust the most or forgive rejection from the person supposed to show you love?

There are several people consumed by anger and unhappiness as a result of hurt caused by a loved one. It brews in their hearts, clouds their minds and their lives have become a slave to unforgiveness.

In @Ephesians-4:31-32 God commands us to get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice and to be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Complete healing and forgiveness takes the grace of God. If you are battling with unforgiveness, I stand with you in prayer. I pray that God will bring you peace and the strength to overcome your pain and anger. I pray that you will find love again for those who hurt you and that like Joyce received the grace to forgive her abusing father, you too will be healed of your hurt.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” –

@Proverbs-13:12