This is a prayer of forgiveness.
Forgiveness frees us of anger and resentment.
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.
Forgiveness is in three directions.
We forgive ourselves for times when we have hurt ourselves or others.
We forgive others for hurting us.
And we ask God to help others forgive us for the times we have hurt them.
Forgiveness does not mean we forget the harms done to us or that we have done.
It means we surrender this to God.
Forgiveness is a process.
We forgive to the place that is comfortable for us,
Leaving the event in God's hands.
And we move forward.
As we forgive,
We bring ourselves closer to the joy and love that Jesus gives us.
As we forgive,
We experience the peace of Jesus that goes beyond all understanding.
Forgiveness releases the sorrows of the past and lets the joy of our Lord's love be present in us more fully today.
I invite you to relax into a comfortable position where you will not be disturbed.
Lie or sit with a minimum of movement.
Focus on your breath as you breathe in a normal fashion.
As you inhale and exhale,
Imagine the light and love of our Lord,
Jesus,
Radiating from the heavens above.
Begin to fill the top of your head with this light.
Feel the warmth and healing of Jesus' love radiating through your head and relaxing down through your body.
Down through your neck and shoulders.
Feel the light traveling through your arms and through your torso.
With the light,
Feel the compassion and love.
Now,
Continuing down into your legs,
The light of Jesus' love continuing all the way from the top of your head,
Down into your feet,
Down to the tips of your toes.
Breathe in the light of Jesus now from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet.
We are forever grateful for the breath and life that God gives us each day.
Follow me as I begin with this breath,
A prayer of forgiveness.
Forgiveness to free us from past sorrow so that we may open our hearts to all of Jesus' love.
The forgiveness prayer is in three directions.
First,
Forgiving myself for harm I have done myself and others,
Knowingly and unknowingly.
Then,
Forgiving others for the harm they have done to themselves and to me,
Knowingly and unknowingly.
And lastly,
Asking for forgiveness from those who I have hurt,
Knowingly and unknowingly.
Jesus,
For the many times I have hurt myself or others,
I ask you wash away my guilt,
My regret.
Cleanse me so that I may hear your sounds of joy and gladness.
For the times I have hurt myself or others,
Jesus,
Renew me.
Renew me that my tongue may praise your healing power.
Feeling your forgiveness in my heart,
My mouth proclaims your glory.
Renew me so that I may feel the power and warmth of your love.
For the times I have been hurt,
Knowingly and unknowingly,
By others,
I forgive my brothers and sisters from my heart as Jesus,
My Lord,
Forgives me.
I forgive from my heart,
Not seven times,
But seventy times seven times.
With this inhale,
I forgive.
With this exhale,
I let go resentment,
Anger.
With this inhale,
I forgive.
With this exhale,
I let go resentment and anger.
With this inhale,
I forgive.
With this exhale,
I let go resentment and anger.
Feeling your forgiveness in my heart,
My mouth proclaims your glory.
Feeling forgiveness in my heart,
I feel your true love close to me.
And for the times I have hurt others,
I ask that they forgive me and open their hearts to my love for them.
For the times I have hurt others,
I ask that they forgive me and open their hearts to my love for them.
I come to you labored and burdened,
And you,
Lord,
Give me rest.
Your forgiveness fills my heart.
I am blessed because you are merciful.
I am blessed because you are full of mercy.
With this inhale,
I open my heart to God's great tender mercy and forgiveness.
With this exhale,
I allow God's mercy into my heart.
With this inhale,
I open my heart to God's great tender mercy and forgiveness.
With this exhale,
I allow God's mercy into my heart.
I forgive myself for the hurt I have done to myself or others.
I forgive my brothers and sisters for the hurt they have done to me.
I am blessed with your loving kindness and tender mercy.
I am forgiven and given a new heart and new spirit within.
Inhale forgiveness,
And as you exhale,
Feel God's mercy.
Inhale forgiveness,
As you exhale,
Feel God's mercy.
Mercy.
Forgiveness.
Mercy.
Continue this inhale of forgiveness and exhale of mercy as long as feels comfortable.
When you are ready,
Open your eyes and go in faith and forgiveness with Jesus to lead your life to your family,
To your friends,
And to all that you meet today.
God's blessings forever with us.
Amen.
