A Prayer of Forgiveness

Prayer Changes Me

 

Finally all of you, live in harmony with one another;

 be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.   1 Peter 3:8

Jesus said, “Pray for those who despitefully use you” (Matthew 5:44 KJV). I’d rather tell them exactly what I think and then complain to other people. I’d rather harbor a grudge and avoid them. But Jesus said that if I want to be like Him, to do what pleases Him and glorifies His name, I’ll pray for those who hurt me (v. 45).

 

Several years ago, a co-worker spread some unkind and untrue remarks about me at our workplace. I thought, How can I possibly pray for this woman with a sincere heart?

 
First, I wrote her name down on the 3x5 card I use as a daily prayer list, and I admitted my feelings to God. “Lord, I don’t like this person. What she did was wrong.” God knew what had happened. I didn’t need to minimize what she had done or camouflage how I felt about it.

 

Next I confessed my unwillingness to change my attitude. “Lord, I can’t get over this. I’m too angry, too hurt.” Then I reminded myself that God loves this woman as much as He loves me. He offers the same forgiveness to her that He offers to me.  I said, “Lord, help me to see what You see when you look at her.”

 

Many weeks passed. One day we were both in the copier room, and she told me about an ongoing trial in her life.  As she revealed some details about her past, I realized why she might have misjudged me and recognized that I had misjudged her too. I felt God’s compassion flow into me, and the resentment I’d harbored against her began to evaporate. Praying for her was no longer a hardship.

 

My attitude toward those who mistreat me doesn’t change overnight. Sometimes it takes weeks, sometimes months. But gradually, God changes my perspective. He instills sympathy for others in me and humility about my own faults. Praying for those who have mistreated us gives God an opportunity to work in our hearts.  Do you need to add someone to your prayer list?

 

 

 DIG DEEPER:

 

• For ten years, King Saul tried to kill David even though David had done no wrong to the king. What was David’s attitude toward Saul? Read 1 Samuel 26:5-11.  What can we learn from David’s example?

• Luke 6:27-36 is a lengthier version of Matthew 5:43-47. What reasons does Jesus give for being merciful to those who may not deserve it?

•  Compare Peter’s attitude in Matthew 18:21 with his advice in 1 Peter 3:8-12.  What had Peter’s relationship with Jesus taught him about forgiving others? What has your relationship with Jesus taught you about forgiveness?
  

• Read Romans 8:26-34. Twice in this passage Paul says that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.  How does that truth apply to our prayers for those who mistreat us?

 

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