Warriors Arise: January 3, 2024
Matthew 6:9-13
In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
Forgiveness is a choice. You and I have a decision to make. We can choose to forgive or we can choose to not extend forgiveness. Hear me with when I say, "If you do not forgive another, it will hurt you far worse than it will hurt them."
We tend to remember those who have hurt us. We dismiss those we have hurt. It isn't that the pain is less. We do not want to confront the problem because the problem is us. We hope they will get over it and move on. We hope they will just accept our rudeness, if we will even acknowledge that we have been rude.
The problem is in our own mind, we excuse our poor behavior. We do not see ourselves as being as hurtful as the other person interprets what we did or said. It wasn't done to us, it was done by us. If it was done to us, we would see how hurtful or rude our words or behavior were.
It is extremely important for each one of us to release those who have hurt us. Most likely, they do not even realize what they have said or done. They see themselves, just as you and I do, as not being the one with the problem, the one who was hurtful or rude. Therefore, they don't know they should be apologizing to you.
People won't apologize for things they do not know they have done to hurt you. In order for you to be free from their hurtful and rude ways, you must speak words of forgiveness over what they have said or done that was so hurtful and rude.
Here is what I will pray: "Father, I am hurt by what they did to me...I choose to forgive them. I do not hold them in contempt anymore. I bless them to be aware of their words. I pray their words would be full of life. I pray they wouldn't hurt anyone the way they have hurt me. I pray they would change their behavior so they do not cause harm to another. I ask for You to bless them to be a blessing, encourage, and honor others, in Jesus' name amen."
When I pray something like the above prayer, I feel the chains of unforgiveness fall off of me. I am no longer imprisoned by what they said to me that was so rude or their behavior that was so hurtful. There is no need for me to go to them unless I need to strengthen the relationship. I need to humbly go to them to make them aware of what was so hurtful. But, it is not my responsibility to make them apologize. It is my responsibility to release them, to forgive them. It can be really awkward if they have no idea why you are extending them forgiveness. They may not agree that they did as anything needing to be forgiven. The offender rarely sees they have hurt another as deep as the one who was hurt. It can cause more pain if they don't apologize or blame you their hurtfulness.
If they come to you with an apology, be ready to forgive. If they don't, then go before God and forgive them. Release yourself from the chains of pain and unforgiveness. It is your choice. You can remain chained to unforgiveness or you can be free.
Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give me this day my daily bread. Forgive me for the things I have said and done that has caused other's pain. I did not intentionally hurt them but I did hurt them. I pray You would bring healing to their mind for what I said. I pray their heart would be made whole by Your love. I ask for You to forgive me for speak words of discouragement and pain. Thank You for making me aware of the hurt I have caused them. I choose to forgive those who have harmed me. I forgive them for going behind my back. I forgive them for speaking discouraging words. I forgive them for being critical. I choose to forgive them. I will bless them and pray for them. I will release them and the pain they caused in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
Join together as Believers in Jesus Christ to pray and to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
Comments