Forgiveness is an attribute of God Himself, and when we foster it, we show our godlikeness. Many people feel offences are bound to occur, so they care less about how their actions affect others as far as they are pleased. But worthy of note is to know that the Lord condemns agents of offence. This is why we must never be at home with offences, whether for defensive or offensive purposes.
Beloved reader, when you notice a friend begins to give you the cold shoulder, don’t just play along with the mind that at least I can’t even remember having any harsh words with this person. Do you know you may even hurt someone without knowing it? Still, ignorance does not change the fact that apologies and reconciliation must be made. In fact, Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 5:23 that God does not take pleasure in our gifts as much as he does in our unity, togetherness and love with our friends.
It’s good you know that everyone is susceptible to offending others, but letting go is spiritual wisdom. Today, you have taken the greatest step by owning up to the fact that you have hurt someone. So, praying for forgiveness for hurting someone is one of the most important steps you have to take in the process of reconciliation.
The following prayers are the most appropriate prayers for forgiveness for hurting someone you can readily use to resuscitate that dying friendship. Pray them with all seriousness for blessed are peacemakers.
Steps to Take When Seeking Reconciliation
Lord, I feel so bad that I have disappointed you and my beloved friend at this moment. I come unto your throne of grace today to obtain the mercy I need for complete reconciliation. I say these prayers for forgiveness for hurting someone, and I ask that your Spirit of truth will grant me all I need to make peace in the name of Jesus, amen.
So amazing one; before you embark on prayers, let’s consider the biblical prescription for asking someone for forgiveness. Matthew 18:15-17: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector”.
We are going to turn this around; in the sense that you are the offender. Now, this is what God expects you to do:
1. Ask God for forgiveness and forgive yourself
First, the Lord expects that you should then ask Him for forgiveness since you have acknowledged your faults. The scriptures rightly said in 1John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” You also must now forgive yourself, as this sets you in the right place to begin to seek reconciliation.
2. Simply Apologize!
Now, it is expedient you see and apologize to the person alone. Put your ego aside and make the person see and believe that you are sorry for what you did wrongly. This should melt the person’s heart (that is, if your offence is not too heavy for the person to handle). If your brother can’t find a space in his heart to forgive you, proceed to step three.
3. Involve a Respected Friend
You can also take one or two other friends or brethren (It will be better if these person(s) is well known to both of you, i.e. not a stranger) to help you plead your cause and help your brother see the reason why he should forgive you. Your heart must be prepared to know that your brother, depending on the gravity of your offence or his level in the Spirit, may still be unable to let this matter go and bury the hatchet. If this happens, do not hesitate to proceed to step four.
4. Bring in a Spiritual Authority
Furthermore, you can then take this matter to a spiritual authority over your brother and bring them into the matter. Let them help you beg and plead to your brother. I can categorically say that at this point, the Lord must have been working on your brother’s heart from within, and your pastor’s counsel will perfect the work. And if this does not work, this means this brother’s stand in God is questionable.
5. Don’t Give Up!
Making peace is a god-like nature, so you will not allow this brother to just go away on account of your shortcomings; this is where your prayers will come in handy. The heart of a King is in God’s hands, and like a river of water, he alone can direct its flow; so also is the heart of every mortal man. Continue to commit his heart to God relentlessly and see the Lord perform a miracle of a change of mind.
Prayers Points for Forgiveness for Hurting Someone
1. Prayer of Forgiveness to God
Oh Lord, my God, thank you for life and health. Thank you for sparing my life that I will not face you with my sins. I come humbly to your feet today to ask for forgiveness.
I have not done well, Lord, I offended (Insert the offence) my friend (Insert the person’s name). And I know in this I have let you down. I have broken the trust you have in me.
I pray, dear God, forgive me and blot out my sins. Wash me with the blood of your beloved son and take away my iniquity in the name of Jesus.
2. Prayer for Mercy
Merciful high priest, judge among all nations, your mercy prevails over judgment King of the universe. I come before you just as I am. Please have mercy on me, and let your face shine upon me.
I have sinned and offended this good friend of mine; I ask you to show me mercy that your loving kindness will overshadow the foolishness of my offence in the name of Jesus.
Life-giving Spirit, I pray that you will have mercy on me. I know my faults and my lacks. If you do not help me, then there is help nowhere and in no one. My eyes are set upon you; help me find mercy and favour that my friend will find a place in his/her heart to forgive me in Jesus name, amen.
3. Prayer to Forgive Yourself
Dear God, I asked that you grant me the grace to forgive myself today. I have confessed my sins, and I know that your redeeming power in the blood of your son Jesus has washed me and made me from all my sins.
Lord Jesus, remove this overwhelming guilt and wash my conscience. Make me good as new, oh Lord. Remove the remembrance of my offence in the name of Jesus.
I believe that you heard my prayers asking you for forgiveness. Please, Father, help me forgive myself; help me see the good work you are doing in my heart.
I say to you, devil, I refuse to listen to all your lies that God cannot forgive me. I embrace his redeeming grace today, and I am free in the name of Jesus, amen.
4. Prayer for Courage
Heavenly Father, grant me the courage to pull through with this reconciliatory process. I have offended this good friend of mine and broken years of trust. Help me set my feelings and emotions apart to make my friend see and believe that I am sorry.
I doubt my confidence to apologize for this offence. I admit my knees are feeling weak; please, God fill me with the courage I need. When my friend brings up strong reasons why forgiving me is impossible, help me make stronger efforts to apologize.
The paths of reconciliation can be lonely; help me know that you are right there with me.
5. Prayer for Boldness
Dear Father of light, I ask that you bless me with boldness to apologize to this friend I have offended. Please help me to speak with confidence and boldness.
Help my heart to convey every word with assurance and calmness. Fill me with righteous thoughts that cast out fear. Perfect my love for justice and truth. Help me not hide behind the thin film of lies.
Grant me the boldness to agree to all faults even when it is not mine for peace. Make me strong in my resolve to make peace. Energize my heart with boldness in the name of Jesus.
6. Prayer to Soften Your Friend’s Heart towards You
Blessed Lord, thank you for helping me see that I am wrong. As I am on the path of reconciliation, I pray that soften my friend’s heart towards me.
I pray, dear Lord, that you will begin to work on my friend’s heart even before we see. Melt every ice of hurt, anger, disappointment and pain.
Help me, dear Lord, to begin to speak words of consolation to my friend’s heart. Soothe all the pain my harsh words or actions has caused my friend.
7. Prayer to Reunite Friendship after Reconciliation
Lord, I have accepted all my faults in this matter, and I have also carried out every step of reconciliation that I know. I pray that you will mend my friendship again with your pure love.
Lord, do not allow this issue to be the end of such a sweet friendship. I pray, dear Lord, to help my friend see the possibility of having an incredible lifetime friendship with me.
You are never the source of confusion, and I trust in you with all of my heart to still help this friendship awake a brand new one in the name of Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, because I believe all things work together for good; even this will work for my good in Jesus name.