The Work of Forgiveness - Your Nightly Prayer
The Hard Work of Forgiveness
Your Nightly Prayer for May 8, 2025
by Greg Grandchamp
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." - Colossians 3:13
SOMETHING TO PONDER
You have been hurt deeply. By someone you love and trust, no less. And it is painful. Deeply painful. We have all experienced it at some point in our lives. Whether your parents, someone else in your family, a close friend, or someone at work. You’re feeling it, and you just can’t get over it. They have apologized, but you can’t find it in you to forgive them.
The question we must each ask ourselves is why. What is preventing us from forgiving someone who has offended us? Maybe we think they don’t really deserve it. Maybe we want to get them back and let them experience what it feels like. Then – and only then – you’ll forgive. But then we must also ask ourselves – what makes us think we deserve the forgiveness of God?
Perhaps the most amazing part of the good news of Jesus Christ is, that He died for us while we were still sinners. While we were still his enemy, He suffered and gave his life so we could be forgiven. That’s simply overwhelming when we let ourselves think about it. And it makes our forgiveness of others just a bit easier. God has offered us the mercy of forgiveness – and we are called to be merciful in the same way to others.
We must remember that forgiveness of others releases us from the bondage of anger and resentment. It releases the grudge we carry around with us that steals our peace and our joy. Our forgiveness may be meaningless to the ones who have hurt us. They may go on with their lives without a hint of remorse or guilt over what they have done. Their happiness remains while yours is tied up in knots. When we see them, we get a little twist in our gut – even, maybe especially, if we have never said anything to them about how they hurt us.
Often, we don’t know how to get there. Well, God knows that and His Spirit will help us if we’re honest with Him. If we seek His help. A good place to start is simply uttering the word, “I forgive” and then praying that the Lord will help you feel it and believe it.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Glorious Father,
Thank you. Thank you for your forgiveness, for your mercy and grace. Thank you for sending your son to bear my sins. Please help me, Father. Help me to find it in my heart to forgive as you have forgiven me when I didn’t deserve it.
Amen
THREE THINGS TO PONDER
1. Who do you need to extend forgiveness to today?
2. Do you need to forgive yourself?
3. Ask God to direct your steps in forgiving yourself and others this evening.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.
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