Hollywood Prayer Network On ForgivenessSample

FORGIVE OTHERS

"We must quit bending the Word to suit our situation. It is we who must be bent to that Word, our necks that must bow under the yoke."  Elisabeth Elliot

PRAY: Dear God, I want to fully understand the power of forgiveness. Would You make me understand the process of forgiving others and how that impacts my relationship with You? Would You reveal to me whom I haven't forgiven? I may not be aware that I am holding unforgiveness in my heart. Please show me if I am, so that I am in good standing with others and with You. I want complete forgiveness from You, so I want to start now by checking my own heart towards others. Thank You for revealing to me any unforgiveness. Amen.

REFLECT: Study the word FORGIVENESS. What does it really mean? Look it up. You'll see there are even health benefits to forgiveness. It is not condoning, excusing, or forgetting the wrong, and it does not necessarily mean that you have to reconcile. It's letting go of an offense and the desire for revenge, and giving up the right to get back at the person who wronged you. That's a lot to think about. But when you fully understand God's Word, you will be better able to succeed at the task. It's not "forgive and forget," it's "forgive and be free!"

ACT: List the people or groups of people, organizations, committees, or even corporations who make you angry, or who have done something to hurt you, hinder you or humble you. Could it be the government for making you pay too much for health care? Is it your boss for working you too hard for too little pay? Is it your union for not supporting you? Is it your neighbor for making too much noise or a friend who betrayed you? There are so many levels of hurt, abuse, or pain that need to be forgiven. Start with the macro and move down to the micro. You may unveil a deep need for forgiveness that you didn't even know was there. Or you may find you are freer than you realized. Either way is okay, as long as you are honest with yourself and God.