Pray for your offender.

Jesus tells us it is not enough to let go of malice toward our enemies. We must go the next difficult step as well and cultivate benevolence. We are truly practicing forgiveness when we can honestly endorse whatever is good and healing for the person who caused our suffering. To bless and not curse, to pray for rather than to condemn, shows a heart that is surrendered to the rule of love.

Ponder

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:43-45)

Pledge

With God’s help I will not only set aside my vengeful desires but will ask God to show favor and goodness to this person who hurt me.

Review

Practice #1: Forgive what you can.

Practice #2: Seek forgiveness from others.

Adapted from A Devotional Walk with Forgiveness by Judith Ingram, Copyright © 2011 by Judith Ingram.

Seek forgiveness from others.

We are more likely to forgive others when we realize how selfish and hurtful we ourselves have been. All of us say and do things we later wish we could take back. The discipline of seeking and accepting forgiveness from others frees us from false pride and the need to pretend we are perfect. To receive someone’s forgiveness motivates and empowers us to be similarly generous with those who need our compassion and mercy.

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