PRAYER TO LET GO OF
BITTERNESS AND UNFORGIVENESS

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God in Christ forgave you  (Ephesians 4:32)

Heavenly Father, You promised that in this world we would have tribulations.  Never did you promise that we would have sunshine without the rain.  Never did you say that we would be exempt from trials, troubles or injustice. 

I confess to You that the injustices perpetrated upon me still ache deep within my soul.  The unforgiveness in my life works like a cancer, slowly eating away what spiritual vitality I have. 

Please forgive me for walking in unforgiveness.  My refusal to forgive only cheapens the debt You paid on my behalf to forgive my sins.  I realize my refusal to forgive affects my relationship with You as well as those who have harmed me (Matt. 6:14-15).  Father, I don’t want to be like the servant who was forgiven an enormous debt only to turn around and refuse to forgive another man of a pittance. 

In the world’s greatest act of injustice, You were nailed to a cross on false charges.  I may have been wronged, but You suffered a far greater wrong than I ever will.  Yet hanging on the cross You cried out, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).  Instill within me the kind of love that releases people from their debt of offense.  

So this day, I release to You debts I have held over the heads of those who have wronged me.  Father please forgive me of my debts as I now forgive my debtors (Matt. 6:12). And may my only remaining debt be a debt of love, even to those who have hurt me (Rom. 13:8)  

Liberate me from my bondage of unforgiveness and bitterness.  I want no part of anything that hinders my walk with You.  Remove any cancerous root of bitterness, and heal the hurts buried deep inside with the balm of Your Holy Spirit.  I choose to change the attitude of my heart toward those who have wronged me so I can forgive them from my heart.  Please wipe away the memories that recount the injustices from the past and give me discernment to avoid needless hurt and pain in the future. 

Whenever those weeds of unforgiveness and bitterness surface please show me that You love my offenders as much as You love me.  Remind me that even in those times when I have wronged You and sinned against You, You still love me, accept me, and welcome me into Your arms.  

Therefore, I leave the offenses of the past behind and clothe myself with Your love.