Repeatedly forgiving?

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holyrood

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I’ve started doing this daily hour of prayer. angelfire.com/tv2/inhisfootsteps/forgiveness.html I find it wonderful and uplifting, but I do wonder, as I reach the part about forgiving others: is it really wise to be ‘forgiving’ for example, my mother and father, every single day? I wonder if constantly repeating this is only dredging it up, sort of reminding myself, yeah, they were really negative and cruel, yeah, they did do all that?

Any thoughts? I believe I’ve truly forgiven them. I believe I have genuine compassion for them, understanding their own brokenness from which their actions come. I sincerely pray for them and wish the best for them. Should I keep repeating this prayer daily?
 
How can God forgive us of the worst of our sins if we can’t be just as merciful to others? “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” As we forgive others, so God forgives us.
 
holyrood said:
I’ve started doing this daily hour of prayer. angelfire.com/tv2/inhisfootsteps/forgiveness.html I find it wonderful and uplifting, but I do wonder, as I reach the part about forgiving others: is it really wise to be ‘forgiving’ for example, my mother and father, every single day? I wonder if constantly repeating this is only dredging it up, sort of reminding myself, yeah, they were really negative and cruel, yeah, they did do all that?

Any thoughts? I believe I’ve truly forgiven them. I believe I have genuine compassion for them, understanding their own brokenness from which their actions come. I sincerely pray for them and wish the best for them. Should I keep repeating this prayer daily?
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We are not obligated to any specific prayer to say. If you feel that it would help you more to remain forgiving toward your parents by not saying that part than to say that part, then by all means omit that part. Maybe substituting some other short prayer in its place for your parents.

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.
 
Skyhighblue34 said:
How can God forgive us of the worst of our sins if we can’t be just as merciful to others? “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” As we forgive others, so God forgives us.
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:confused:

I said nothing about not forgiving. I said I have forgiven. My question was, is there some spiritual benefit in revisiting it every day when forgiveness has already taken place.
 
I do see your point about constantly dredging up painful memories from the past. I might not say this particular prayer every single day, if I found it was no longer helping me to be more forgiving, but only reminding me of an unhappy past. The nature of the prayer you linked, a sort of litany of all of the people who have done us wrong, could have the effect of causing us to hang on to, rather than let go of, our pain and resentment. If it truly helps, continue. If not, well, there are lots of other prayers!
 
I checked out the link - It says:

“A prayer covering some basic areas of life is included to help bring to mind buried anger, bitterness and resentment that need to be released through forgiveness.”

I don’t find anything saying that you must say it daily… maybe I’m missing something?

Every day I say the “Our Father…” and other prayers. I believe that pretty much covers it.
 
Perhaps it would be best for you just to stick to your Our Father, unless you feel you need more work on forgiveness. I haven’t had a look at your prayer of forgiveness yet. God bless you.
 
Hi holyrood,

I understand what you are saying.

I don’t think that you have to repeat that particular prayer every day, since you have already forgiven them.

I have different prayers and prayer booklets like that, that address certain situations.

I will adapt a written prayer to my own personal need/s if a part of it doesn’t apply to me or continue to apply to me, if I really like using the prayer.

Sometimes I will use a prayer like that too as a “starting place” if you will, where it gives me some ideas for prayers of my own.
 
Thank you all! It seems so obvious and easy an answer when I see several people say it. I suppose maybe I’m not sure what to say and do in that five minute segment if not read the prayer. :o If I feel I HAVE forgiven people.
 
You could just say,
“Father, bless all the people in my life who I’ve forgiven, and draw them closer to you.”
 
The very concept of unforgiveness is not of love and not of the spirit, but of the flesh nature and discord in general. This is the enemies encampment to be sure, and where there is an unforgiving heart there is other vices that blind and swallow a person; holding them captive to the enemy that is roaring around us like a lion; seeking whom it can devour.

We are advise and told to love our neighbors as ourselves, and love thine enemies and doing good to those who wrong us so as to heap coals on their heads.

“it is all there clearly for us to learn, but first we must uncover our blindness so we can see and seek freedom in JESUS CHRIST the high priest whom presides over us; we just have to pray in his name to the heavenly father for discernment, guidance and deliverance and then we will clearly see.” In this seeking not just our own love, but the love for others."

We all live on this world, yet we all act as our own…seemingly independent for the most part even though we share this creation with each other. Instead of embracing the dark we need to embrace the light and the love, and GOD whom created all things. Through his son JESUS whom is the way, the truth and the life.

The principle of unforgiveness is corruptive. It undermines the simple philosophy that we are imperfect, and though someone wrongs you have never wronged anyone else and therefore are perfect; which we are told that all of us have fallen short and none can be called perfect save for JESUS CHRIST the son of GOD.

How short sighted we are…trying to conceal pride and offer our boasting for what? Our imperfections? The enemy surely has many captive and blinded as I see many parading around with their boasting; be it in material things or presentation…yet none can boast the greater creation and love that GOD; the GOD of Noah and Abraham of whom grace did abide towards/for us.

“We need to stop walking in the opposite direction of grace and accept walking the true path and narrow one!”

Praise be to GOD the heavenly father and his son lord JESUS CHRIST forever>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
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