Healing and Forgiveness Prayer and Meditation

Father forgive them, they know not what they do

THIS PRAYER MAY BE USED FOR INDIVIDUAL REFLECTION OR FOR RETREAT STYLE FORMATS, FOR ANY GROUP, RETREATS, OR LENTEN PARISH MISSIONS. WE ALL NEED HEALING AND FORGIVENESS IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

(the song “Where you there when they crucified my Lord” would be good here – before and after the scripture reflection).

Read the scripture in the order it is given:

Luke 23:32-43, John 19:25-28,32-37

Imagine yourself here now at the foot of the cross with Jesus who is crucified, and Mary His Mother who is in deep sorrow at the loss of her Son. Mary hears the voices of those around who are laughing, and mocking the death of her Son; knowing that He has done nothing to deserve such a terrible death, yet she understood it had to be this way. For each one of those who shouted words of hatred toward her Son, she turned to him and cried out, “my Son, forgive them; they know not what they do.” Jesus in turn called out to His Father saying, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.”

(pause)

Now Mary the Mother of Jesus looks over to you with deep compassion, calling you to come closer to her, and to take her by the hand. She gently places her hands on your shoulders and asks you to look at her Son Whose love is being poured out for the forgiveness of sins. What are your thoughts? How can any do such a thing? Is heaven this great that one man gives up His live for my sake to show me how much He loves me? Jesus why didn’t you just come off that cross? You had the power to do it? What are your thoughts here? (listen)

Then Blessed Mother whispers in your ear? “Give Him all your problems, and all your difficulties. Leave them here with my Son….” (pause) “is there any one you want Jesus to forgive? Maybe you want Jesus to forgive you for something you have done or did not do? (reflect)

Father forgive me a sinner

Prayer of forgiveness

Loving Father, through Jesus your beloved Son, crucified on the cross I choose to forgive everyone in my life, including myself because you have forgiven me. Thank you Lord, for this grace. I forgive myself for all my sins, faults and failings, especially ___________ . I forgive myself for not being perfect, I accept myself and make a decision to stop picking on myself and being my own worst enemy. I release the things that I hold against myself and free myself from bondage and make peace with myself by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I forgive my Mother in her human weakness for any negativity and unlove she may have caused t me throughout my life, knowing or unknowingly, especially for _____________ Or for any abuse of any sort, I forgive her today. For any way that she did not provide a deep, full satisfying mother’s blessing. I do forgive her today. I release her from bondage and make peace with her today before Jesus crucified, and I ask Jesus in His mercy to cover her with His divine grace.

I forgive my Father in his human weakness for any negativity and unlove he may have caused t me throughout my life, knowing or unknowingly, especially for _____________ Or for any and all abuse of any sort, unkind acts, hurts and deprivations I do forgive him today. For any way that he did not provide a deep, full satisfying father’s blessing. I do forgive him today. I release him from bondage and make peace with him today before Jesus crucified, and I ask Jesus in His mercy to cover him with His divine grace.

(for adults can repeat the same for SPOUSE/Children)

I forgive my SISTERS AND BROTHERS for any negativity and unlove especially (name sibling/specific event or behavior). I forgive my BLOOD RELATIVES for any abuses, especially ______________. I forgive my ANCESTORS for any negative actions that affect my life today and make it harder for me today to live in the freedom of a child of God. I release them all from bondage and make peace with them today in Jesus’ name.

I forgive my FRIENDS for any actions of negativity and unlove, especially for ______________. For any time they abused our relationship or led me astray far from Jesus and your Kingdom. I do forgive them. I release them all from bondage this day and make peace with them, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Can include same wording for EMPLOYERS; SCHOOL TEACHERS/DOCTORS, LAWYERS, NURSES, CLERGY, all representatives of the Church ETAL)

I forgive any member of SOCIETY who has hurt me in any way; those who have hurt me by criminal action or who have harmed my family, I forgive all in public life who have passed laws opposing Christian values. I forgive all the unfair, anonymous sources of pain and annoyance in my life.
Heavenly Father, I now ask for the grace to forgive the ONE PERSON IN MY LIFE WHO HAS HURT ME THE MOST for the sake of my love for Jesus your Son who loves and forgives them and died for them. This one is the hardest for me to forgive, but I now choose to forgive them before Jesus, even through I am still angry and hurt. I also make peace with the one family member, the one friend and the one authority figure who has hurt me the most.

Lord, is there anyone else that I need to forgive? (Be still and listen)

Thank you Father for the immeasurable love you have for me and for your Son Jesus who is setting me free in this moment. I now pray that your blessing will come on all those who have hurt me. Lord do something special for each of them this day. Thank you Lord. I praise you in your mercy and goodness. I ask for the grace to always strive for peace, and to choose love over all things. Jesus I trust in you. Mary, Mother of God pray for us.