A Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for leading me to Corrie ten Boom’s remarkable book, The Hiding Place. When I struggle with the challenging journey of forgiving others, Corrie’s extraordinary story serves as an inspiring example of faith and strength, demonstrating that it is possible to forgive even the gravest sins and transgressions committed against me.
After reading her amazing narrative, I am encouraged that I too can draw from the powerful wellspring of your forgiveness. It is truly difficult to comprehend the resilience of a Holocaust survivor who, when approached by one of her most heinous captors seeking forgiveness, can overlook the injustice and extend the hand of forgiveness as a fellow believer and sister in Christ. Yet, on the cross, you exemplified this very principle. You gazed upon your tormenters and uttered some of the most profound words in all of history, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34 (ESV). Furthermore, you extended the gift of salvation to one of the men crucified alongside you, declaring, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” Luke 23:43 (ESV).
In Corrie’s book, I was amazed as she had an internal battle and then cried, “I forgive you, brother! With all my heart!” What depths of conviction and grace did it require for both you and Corrie to speak these words? What was the profound transformation that enabled both of you to genuinely mean them from the depths of your hearts?
When I find myself wronged and suffering, I fervently pray that you will grant me the faith and strength to follow this powerful example set by both you and Corrie. Assist me in examining my heart, and help me root out any lingering feelings of unforgiveness. Protect me from falling into the perilous snare mentioned in Matthew 6:15 (ESV): “But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Not only do I pray this for myself, but I pray this for all who draw on your name as their source of strength. Reveal to each person the cleansing power of forgiveness. Help us to echo Corrie’s cry, “I forgive you, brother! With all my heart!”
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Respond
Please pray a prayer about forgiveness. If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.
As you consider the theme of forgiveness, are there any Bible verses or other thoughts that come to mind? If so, add a comment at the end of this post!
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English Standard Version (ESV): Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.
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