Five-Point Prayer of Forgiving

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

Harold Graham suggests that you ask the Holy Spirit to help you make a list of everyone you need to forgive; then list each person's offenses. Remember that some of these names will be from past situations not related to the breakup. This exercise will help make the forgiveness process complete.

Rev. Graham describes a five-point prayer of forgiving. Follow these steps for each name and offense on your list:

1. Confess the real problem, which is unforgiveness.
Confess to God that you've been holding hatred, grudges, resentment, and disgust and that you've been holding that person in the bondage of unforgiveness. Then apologize to God for it.

2. Thank God that He forgives you.

3. Open yourself to the cleansing that comes from God.
If you follow the first two steps, He will cleanse you of all unrighteousness. See 1 John 1:9 above.

4. Declare forgiveness for each offense listed.

5. Transfer ownership to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Give your burdens to God: Lord, these sins are too heavy for me to bear. I give them to You as Your property. Please nail them to Your cross so that I can't take them back anymore. Then give the Lord ownership of the person who hurt you: Lord, I invite You to lay Your hands on that person, convicting of sin and unrighteousness so that at an appropriate time, he or she will ask Jesus for forgiveness and salvation.

"Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles or is overthrown" (Proverbs 24:17 AMP).

Lord Jesus, guide me through this prayer of forgiveness and transform my life in Your name! Amen.