Forgiveness
A readiness to pardon offenses, to overlook personal wrongs against oneself, and to harbor no desire for retaliation.
The greatest example of One who forgives is God Himself. The basis of His forgiveness is the work of Christ at Calvary. And we are unworthy objects. God could not forgive sin without proper satisfaction being made. In His love He provided the satisfaction which His righteousness demanded. In Christ, that is in His Person and work, God found a righteous basis on which He could forgive us.
Since He forgave us when we were in debt "million of dollars," we ought to forgive others when they owe us "a few dollars" (Matthew 18:23-28) JBP
Quote from Lenski :
The moment a man wrongs me I must forgive him. Then my soul is free. If I hold the wrong against him I sin against God and against him and jeopardize my forgiveness with God. Whether the man repents, makes amends, asks my pardon or not makes no difference. I have instantly forgiven him. He must face God with the wrong he has done, but that is his affair and God's and not mine save that I should help him according to Matthew 18:15, etc. But whether this succeeds or not and before this even begins, I must forgive him.
Matthew 18:15
"Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother." NKJV
Taken from the Believer's Bible Commentary
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Forgiveness Prayers
Judicial Forgiveness
Is that which is granted by God the Judge to everyone who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. It means that the penalty of sin has been met by Christ and the believing sinner will not have to pay it. It is unconditional!
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Parental Forgiveness
Is that which is granted by God the Father to His erring child when he confesses and forsakes his sin. It results in the restoration of fellowship in the family of God, and has nothing to do with the penalty of sin. As Father God cannot forgive us when we are unwilling to forgive one another. He doesn't act that way and cannot walk in fellowship with those who do.
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The Power of Forgiveness
The crowd that watched Jesus heal the paralytic responded enthusiastically to His dramatic display of power (Matt. 9:9) But they overlooked His more significant ability to forgive sins-a power that deeply troubled the scribes (9:2, 3).
The power of forgiveness is immeasurable. Jesus challenged us as His followers to forgive others who have wronged or hurt us (6:14, 15; 18:21-25). That may seem like a simple act, but anyone who has struggled with pain and anger knows that it takes enormous power to authentically forgive-to lay aside one's hurt and reach out to an offender with the embrace of a pardon. On the other side, forgiveness can release the wrongdoer from paralyzing guilt and even turn around the course of that person's life (James 5:19, 20).
Forgiveness is as powerful and liberating as the healing of a paralytic. And it's a power that Jesus has delegated to His followers
(John 20:23). We are called to forgive others as Christ has forgiven us.
(Col. 3:13)
IN LIFE New Illustrated Bible Commentary
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God Speaks: My Child, I've blotted out your sins: they are gone like morning mist at noon! I, yes I alone am He that blots your sins away for My Own sake and will never think of them again.
"Come, let's talk this over!" "No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are strained as red as crimson, I can make you white as wool. I will forgive and forget your sins and will tread them beneath My feet and will throw them into the depth of the ocean!
I will gather you into My kingdom and make you priest of My Father in heaven!
From the Psalms and Isaiah
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Confession
3/31/01
Lord Jesus, I want to humble myself, becoming obedient to the point of death if necessary to follow You completely. I stand, My Lord at the foot of Your cross, and I am willing to climb that cross and follow in Your footsteps. I confess that You are the Christ and You are my Shepherd.
Your Word says, You are at work in me, both to will and to work for Your good pleasure. I pray I will do all things without grumbling or disputing. I pray I will prove myself blameless and innocent, and above reproach to this world. I want to become Your light; holding onto the Word of Life so that in the day of Your return, I may have cause to glory; because I did not run in vain, nor did I toil in vain. I pray that I will be broken bread and poured out wine for Thee.
I rejoice in You, my King. I seek Your face, Lord Jesus, not my own interest, but Your interest. I want to serve the risen Master. I worship You, my King. I thank You, Lord Jesus I can come before the Father through Your shed blood and righteousness. I pray that I would know the power of Your resurrection and the fellowship of Your suffering, being conformed to Your death, in order that I may serve You with power, to press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus
Lord fill me with all knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom; and understanding so that I may walk in a manner worthy of You; pleasing You in all respects, bearing fruit in every good works and ever increasing in the knowledge of You. Strengthen me with all power according to Your glorious might, for the attaining of the steadfastness and patience; giving thanks to You as You qualify me to share in Your inheritance.
You have delivered me from the domain of darkness and transformed me into the kingdom of Your beloved Son, in whom I have redemption, the forgiveness of my sins. Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus for reconciling me in Your fleshly body through death on the cross in order that I can be presented to You holy and blameless and beyond reproach through Your sacrificial blood on the Cross.
Thank You for making me a minister; Your steward, to preach or teach Your word. Let me proclaim You with all wisdom and power and knowledge; walking in You, being firmly rooted and built up in You, and established in faith as You continue to instruct me in Your Word.
Lord Jesus, I set my mind on things above, not on the things of this earth. I will put on the heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another, forgiving others just as you forgave me. I will let Your word dwell in me richly with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in my heart towards You and in Your name, giving thanks through You to my Father.
Father, open up the door of the Word for me, so I may speak forth the mystery of Christ; and that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. May my speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt so I will know how to respond to each
person whom You put before me.
I am Your willing servant. Use me Lord as You see fit-I thank You and praise Your holy name. Amen
Fellowship of Forgiveness
Abba Father, I bless You holy name. I thank you that my joy is full. I thank You that my joy comes through a proper relationship with You and it cannot be disturbed by earthly circumstances. Hallelujah! The source of all my singing is high in heaven above.
I praise You as the God of light, and in You there is no darkness. You are absolutely holy, absolutely righteous, and absolutely pure. Nothing is hidden from You, but 'all things are naked and open to the eyes of him to whom we give account." Hebrews 4:13
Father, I thank You for the blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ who continually cleanses me from all sin. I thank You for forgiveness, and the blood as You provided a righteous basis on which You can forgive sins, and as I sing, "The blood will never loose its power," I thank You for its lasting efficacy to cleanse me. Praise the Lord! I thank You that Your Son died for my sin and my sins.
Father, I know that conversion does not eradicate my sin nature, but, I praise Your Holy name that You implanted a new divine nature in me to live victoriously over indwelling sin.
Father, I confess my sins: Sins of commission; sins of omission, sins of thoughts, sins of acts, secret sins and public sins. Father, I take sides with You against my sins, and forsake them. "He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13) Father, Your Word says, when I confess my sins, I can claim Your promises, that You are faithful and just to forgive my sins.
You are just to forgive because You have found a righteous basis for forgiveness in the substitutionary work of the Lord Jesus on the Cross. Not only do You guarantee to forgive me, but You also cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Hallelujah! Thank You, Jesus for the Cross of Calvary and Your shed blood.
Father, Your Word says in order to have fellowship with You does not require lives of sinlessness, but rather requires our sins to be brought into Your presence, confessed, and forsaken. It means I must be absolutely honest about my condition and there should be no hypocrisy or hiding who I really am. You gave Your perfect standard to me through Your Word. Your perfect standard for Your people and me is absolute perfection, because You are perfect.
Father, if there is any unconfessed sin, or unforgiveness in my life that I have buried deep within, please bring them forward so I may confess and forsake them. Your Word says, "And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father." Praise the Lord, Your word does not say with God, but rather with the Father. Hallelujah! You are still my Father, even when I sin. I thank You for the blessed truth, that though sin breaks fellowship, it does not break relationship with You. I thank You that when I was born again, nothing can separate me from You. Hallelujah, a birth is something that cannot be undone.
Father, I have a loving desire to do Your will in my life, not my will. Father, I pray that I will continue to be obedient by keeping Your commandments, keeping Your Word, and walking as You walked. Father, I realize I cannot do that on my own, but only through obedience to the Holy Spirit. Your Word says, "When we keep Your word, the love of God is perfected in us." Abba Father, I surrender my all to You unreservedly, and I ask You to live Your life through me.
Father, I thank You that with Your Word in my hands and Your Spirit in my heart, I have all I need for instruction in Your truths.
There is a thirst within me Father, that only You can satisfy. Whenever I let my active busy mind come to a resting-place for those special moments with You, I let myself become aware of You and I am filled with Your presence. Then I feel a peace that is beyond description. "O God, You are my God, I seek You, my soul thirst for You." (Psalms 62:1)
As I surrender to You, I am blessed with divine guidance. As Your gentle voice within speaks, You lovingly guide me through the circumstance, to a divine plan, a blueprint that is absolutely right for me. In that surrender, I hear the gentleness of You speaking to me and I fell Your power enlivening me.
Oh, My God, how blessed I am in knowing that You are guiding me! The fog of confusion is lifted and the light of understanding shines brightly within me. I then remember the importance You placed on forgiveness. I forgive and move on with my life. This may mean that I continue in a relationship or that I do not. Either way, forgiveness is important because it helps me heal from the hurt or anger I have experienced. As I forgive, I feel the joy of Your love. Such joy comes from a satisfaction which I feel in my soul, that peace which comes from doing Your will .
GOD Speaks: Sweet child, know that every moment of everyday you are enfolded in My loving embrace.
Child have faith in Me to bring Your loved ones through the day safe and healthy. "The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up." (James 5:15) Remember child, I am the source of all blessings. Family, friends, a beautiful planet on which to live-all are part of My unlimited love.
You are never alone beloved child for I am always with you. I am with you even through the darkest of nights.
Whenever you need Me, I am there for you. Feel my love as I encircle you in the warmth of my presence. You are my precious creation; I will carry you over the rugged places of your pathways of life. I will never leave you, for it My great desire to see you succeed.
Beloved, You have nothing to fear. No matter what may be going on around you, know that you have Me to lean on. My Spirit is within you, you are forever a part of Me. Together, we are one. "As a mother comforts her child so I will comfort you." (Isaiah 66:13)
Child, if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe what you pray will come to pass, it will be done for you. So put aside any doubt by remembering that I love you, and child, do not doubt Your Creator. "Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, "Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and if you so not doubt in your heart, but believe what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you." Mark 11:22-23
Child, I am Your peace and Your anchor in ever turmoil. Because you know this, listen for My sweet assurance that I am giving you. Live in an orderly world that I have created. "O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are true." (2 Samuel 7:28)
Child let my healing life flow through you and your family in a soothing stream. Envision it washing over you and yours cleansing you of all impurities and transforming you. "Then Your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly." (Isaiah 58:8)
Child hold back nothing from Me, give Me every bit of doubt, every concern, and fear so I can transform it into a new faith, courage and confidence. I am your answer. I am love and peace.
Child let My Spirit be your source of life. With all your mind and heart believe in My divine plan for My healing touch upon you and your family. I am Your ever-renewing life. "Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water." (John 7:38) Rest assured that I am moving in a mighty way to bless you and yours. Listen for My divine guidance, that gentle thought that nudges you to give it all to Me, and let Me be God. Rely on Me for all the answers to the questions that come your way. Let me break the barriers of differences and allow My love to draw you all together. Every family relationship that is grounded in Me will flourish. Allow it to happen, let the Oneness of My Spirit unite you all in love, peace and harmony. "There is one body and one Spirit...one God and Father of all, who is above all and in all." (Ephesians 4:4-6)
Embrace My love, give Me yourself wholly and completely. Live life in celebration of My presence within you. Child, I love you and I am your God, you are My beautiful daughter, I created you. "It is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God." (Romans 8:16)
Written by "Susie" 9/4/99
Forgiving Nature
Lord old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. (Romans 6:6)
“Lord, identify me with Your death until I know that sin is dead in me.” I pray that the Spirit of God search my heart until I know what the level and nature of sin in my life--- to see the very things that I struggle with against Your Spirit. Father, I agree with You about the sin in my life and that it should be identified with the death of Jesus. I want to be able to say, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me. . 2:20)
Abba Father, I pray that I become holy as my Lord Jesus is holy. I want to be identified with the life of Jesus and let His nature penetrate every bit of my human nature. I pray that the Holy Spirit not only indwells in me, but also invades all of me, and takes charge of everything. My part is to walk in Your light and obey all that the Spirit reveals to me.
I thank You, Father that You put the holiness of Your Son into me and I belong to a new Spiritual order. I thank You for Your gift of eternal life as Jesus is the only Source of eternal life.
Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus, for my salvation and for Your forgiveness. Amen
9/4/98 Written by VSD-G
Once For All
Abba Father, I want to go behind the second veil into the Holiest of All, the Holies of Holies. I want to be in Your manifested presence.
I rejoice over the word All- I praise my Lord Jesus and I thank Him for Calvary-My Lord entered the Most Holy Place once for all. The work has been completed. Praise the Lord! I can enter into the Holies of Holies without fear of death, through the blood of Jesus and His righteousness. By His sacrifice I have obtained eternal redemption. The Powerful blood of Jesus cleanses my inward sins through His eternal Spirit- Hallelujah! His blood cleanses my conscience from dead works to serve the Living God. Thank You, Jesus.
Father, I pray for an open ear, to be ready at all time to hear Your instructions and obey them instantly. Like the Hebrew slave whose ear was bored with an awl to the door of his master, a sign he willingly indentured himself to his master forever. I too want to be indentured to my Master, Jesus. “...I delight to do Your will O God, and Your Law is written within my heart.”
I thank You, Jesus that I have been perfected in a twofold sense. First, I have perfect standing before the Father, as I can come before Him through Your shed blood and righteousness. Second, I have perfect conscience as far as the guilt penalty of sin is concerned-the price has been paid in full and the Father will not demand payment a second time. Hallelujah! I give you praise and glory!
Praise God the Holy Spirit also witnesses to the fact that under the New Covenant my sins have been effectively dealt with once and for all. He witnesses too through the Old Testament Scriptures-“….the Lord promised to make a New Covenant with His chosen people.” Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Jeremiah 31: 31-34
I am told in the Scriptures that I am now a priest, because I am told to have boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus. I can enter and come into Your presence by faith at any time and from any place on earth.
Through the veil, You bid me enter-there with Christ I may meet the Father upon the mercy seat! Praise be to God. There I will come and adore You, Christ the First fruits unto God-For Your own precious blood had washed me once for All. I am cleansed in the eyes of God the Father. I love to look up and behold You there; the Lamb of God-Your reign is forever. You are worthy of homage and praise. Worthy to be adored and praised. You add Your sweet perfume to all my prayers and praises-I sing-Yes I will sing praises to my King as I enter into Your Holy of Holies. Amen!
Written by “Susie” VSD-G 4/21/01
Attitude of Confession
Father, I confess that there is not enough power from prayers in my life. Father, You are not able to do many of the things You desire to do here on Earth because of my lack of praying. I long to see Your exceeding, abundant answers over and above anything I could ask for or think. Lord, I commit myself to spend more time in prayer daily. Help me to discipline myself to more actual praying. (…to Him that is able to do immeasurably more than all that we ask or imagine. Eph. 3:20)
Lord, please give me the attitude You want me to have before I come to You in prayer, as I want to come before You with a clean mind and hear what You have to say to me. I thank You Lord, for the privilege of being on my face before You with the needs and burdens of others and myself. Lord, I really don't know what the best for me would be. But, Lord, You know all the “what ifs” and the outcome. Lord, when hard things and even sufferings come into my life, I know You will work everything out for my good. Help me to trust Your guidance in my life. Thank You that You care enough to answer my prayers in the way You say will be best for me. (“So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Christ and continue to do good.” 1 Peter 4:19)
Lord as I ask You to forgive me of my sins, I ask You to forgive me of my deceptiveness. I may be able to fool people on earth, but You always know what's going on inside of me. Father, help me to see my deceptiveness as You see it-as sin. Open my eyes to the sins in my life so that I may confess and be pleasing in Your sight-so that my prayers can be answered. Show me who is suffering, because of my sinning. Give me the strength and courage to make restitution to those I have hurt. I thank You Lord, I can come to You, and ask for forgiveness, knowing that there is no sin, so great that You will not forgive. Hallelujah!
Lord, as I (we) pray for the spiritual and physical needs of the ones on our prayer list, I thank You for the strength You have given me (us) through prayer. Keep me (us) diligent in my (our) prayers for those I don't see every day-or may never see at all. You know their needs, all we do is pray our request and with Your mighty arm of Power, You reach to those on Planet Earth with Your answers.
Lord, as I pray believing I will see the results in the horizontal dimensions of prayer-it is great to see its workings. Thank You for Your answers to prayer! Your goodness is beyond my comprehension!
Lord, it is only You who can fill the devastating void left by severed relationships with children, relatives and friends, only You can restore the soul. Lord, give me the grace and strength to restore those who have wronged me. Thank You Lord, that You are the One who restores me in this difficult task. Lord, help me to make reconciliation as far as it is possible for me to do. I promise to pray for those who have despite fully used me. Thank You, Jesus for insisting on the reconciliation of members of Your body, so that we could become one, as You are one with the Father. “Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. “ 1 Peter 4:19) Lord, help me to understand that my suffering can be used as a tool to draw me closer to You. (“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:9)
Lord, help me to be as clay-ready and willing to be conformed to Your will. Teach me to obey Your answers to my prayers, because I know You are fashioning me into that pot which will glorify and be used by You. (“So My Word that goes out from my mouth: “It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11) Lord, I want to serve You as long as You choose. (“For I know the plans that I have for You,” declares the Lord. “plans to prosper You and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and future.” Jeremiah 29:17)
Lord, I know the plans You have for me are best. Forgive me for all the times I have stubbornly gone my own way. Teach me to give back each open door, not to do it, if it is not Your will. (“Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for You in Christ Jesus.” )
Thank You, Lord for the privilege of being absolutely dependent upon You. Father, I want to have an attitude of gratitude in all things. Give me the maturity to trust You enough to be thankful while I am praying, not just after You give me Your answers.
Lord increase my faith in Your wisdom. Give me the ability to discern and the courage to accept Your “no” answers. I want to follow the path You have prepared for me.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 Dear Lord, Give me the confidence to know that You are using all things in my life for my good.
Father, I pray Your will be done in my life and in the lives of my family. I pray Your will be done in my job, my health, my finances and my home and my service to You. I thank You for however You choose to answer, knowing it is according to Your perfect will.
Lord there are many times when I need to be humbled. Give me a sensitive, loving heart toward those I have hurt and help me not to take their forgiveness for granted.
Thank You Lord God, for my redemption, for transforming me out of the state of sin into which I was born, into Your glorious kingdom.
I thank You for peace, for Your omniscience, and for Jesus blood that was shed for my sins. Thank You for setting me free. (“If therefore the Son shall make you free you shall be free indeed. John 8::36)
I am thankful for the privilege of You teaching me how to pray, through the prayers You have given me from Your Word.
I will praise You, O Lord, with all my heart:
before the `gods' I will sing Your praise
I will bow down toward Your holy temple
and will praise Your holy name
for Your love and faithfulness,
for You have exalted above all things
Your name and Your word.
When I called, You answered me;
You made me bold and stouthearted.
May all the kings of the earth praise
You, O Lord when they hear the words
of Your mouth.
Psalms 138:1-4
Written by Susie 11/14/98
Recommend to a friend
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