5 Simple Prayers (That Can Change Your Life)Sample

#3: Simple Prayer for Forgiveness

We all mess up. Make mistakes. Take a wrong turn or say the wrong words.

God knew we wouldn't get it all right, so he sent Jesus to take care of all those places where we would need forgiveness. And he wants us to forgive the way he has forgiven.

Remember, on Day 1, the Lord's Prayer contained the lines: Forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors. (Matthew 6:12) This is the hard part.

People hurt us. Betray us. Disappoint, harm, or destroy us. It is not easy to forgive the way God does.

It says in Psalm 103:12, as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

How are we supposed to do the same for others?

Sometimes forgiveness is a process, one that we have to repeat over and over. Every day, we must work on clearing out the clutter of unforgiveness and re-forgive that person who hurt us. Otherwise, we will soon live with bitterness or resentment that can take root in our hearts if we don't.

Praying a simple prayer of forgiveness, perhaps daily, can help us learn to forgive others and ourselves. Forgiveness can change your life because you no longer have to haul around all the baggage of unforgiveness.

Action: Today, try to lighten your load. Write down or journal someone who has hurt you, and then write the simple prayer of forgiveness with that person's name in it. Maybe it's even your name because you need to forgive yourself. Whatever the case, give yourself some grace as you work through forgiveness.

Simple Prayer for Forgiveness:Father God, forgive me for failing you and hurting others! Please show me how to forgive like you do, fully and completely. I want to forgive ______________ (name) for ________________ (specific reason). I don't want unforgiveness to clog up my heart or soul. I trade my heavy burden for your light one. Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross for all my sins and all the ways others have hurt me. I am letting go of these hurts with your help. In Jesus' name, amen.