…Forgiving Others, Then Deciding To Love and Pray For Them Instead!
Forgiveness is one of the hardest yet most transformative things God asks us to do. It’s not easy, especially when the wounds run deep, but it is vital for our own spiritual health and obedience to God. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 6:14-15:
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
That verse is a wake-up call, isn’t it? Forgiveness isn’t optional—it’s a command.
Why Forgiveness Matters
When I think about why forgiveness is so important to God, I realize it’s because unforgiveness is toxic to the soul. It’s essential because it reflects God’s love in our lives. If we refuse to forgive, we hold onto something that isn’t of God, and it will ultimately create distance between us and our Creator.
It weighs us down—turns us into something we aren’t—creates bitterness, and blocks us from the blessings God has for us. Someone once said to me: “The damage is done,” as if that damage irreversible or as though some things can never be healed or restored. But with God, no damage is beyond repair. Forgiveness is not about justifying what was done or excusing it. It about choosing to release the burden and trust God to handle it. It is the key that unlocks healing—not just for the person who wronged us, but for ourselves as well.
Even if the person doesn’t ask for forgiveness or continues to hate us, God calls us to love them anyway. Romans 12:20-21 says:
”Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This isn’t always easy, but it’s the way to peace, freedom, and spiritual growth. I promise you that.
Praying for Others
Prayer is powerful. Your speaking with God shifts things in the spiritual world. With prayer, we invite God into the situation and allow His grace to work in their lives and ours too. Prayer transform the hurt you feel into compassion. It allows us to see others as God sees them—broken people in need of His love. Matthew 5:44 encourages us:
”But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
Today, I paid it forward by choosing to forgive and pray for those who have hurt me deeply. Ephesians 4:31-32 says:
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, but put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
It’s not just about letting go of the pain; it’s about actively praying for those who may not even realize how their actions have affected us.
Prayer is a vital part of forgiveness. Prayer is a powerful act of love. When we pray for someone, we’re lifting them up to God, asking Him to work in their lives, and trusting Him to bring the change that only He can. Even if they continue to hate us, we are called to love them through prayer, because love is what transforms. As Romans 12:20-21 reminds us:
“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
The Bigger Picture
I’m trying to get you to focus on the bigger picture. Sometimes forgiveness feels impossible, especially in the face of undeserved pain or life-altering betrayals. But when we keep eternity in mind, it changes everything. None of us know hen out time on earth will end. Life here is temporary and goes by so fast! One day, we’ll stand before God, and we’ll be judged on how we’ve lived. Do we really want to carry the weight of unforgiveness into that moment? Jesus forgave us for every sin, even when we were undeserving. How can we withhold that same grace from others?
We fight not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12). When someone hurts us, it’s often because they are hurting themselves or lost in spiritual battles we cannot see. This is why Jesus said to forgive not just once, but seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22). It’s not about keeping score—it’s about cultivating a heart that mirrors God’s infinite mercy.
Boundaries and Forgiveness
Forgiveness doesn’t mean staying in a harmful situation. God wants us to protect ourselves from danger and abuse. Proverbs 22:3 says:
”A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hide to himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”
If someone is harming you, it’s okay to remove yourself from their proximity. But forgiveness is not about them—it’s about you and your relationship with God. You can forgive someone from a distance while still praying for their salvation and healing.
A Lesson from God
I’ve learned that forgiveness isn’t something we do in our own strength. It’s a gift from God, just as His love is a gift to us. he showed me how to forgive by forgiving me first. Through His love and guidance, I’ve been able to forgive others—even when it was hard, even when it felt undeserved. His Spirit works within us to create the kind of love that forgives and prays for those who may never say (let alone truly mean) “I’m sorry.”
If you’re struggling with unforgiveness today, I encourage you to seek God. Ask Him for the strength to let go and the courage to pray for those who’ve hurt you. He’s waiting to help you. He’s waiting to free you. Psalm 34:18 says:
”The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and safety as be of a contrite spirit.”
Forgiveness is one of the greatest act of love and obedience we can offer to God and to others. It’s a gift we give ourselves as well. It’s the bridge to healing, freedom, and a deeper relationship with God. It frees us from bitterness, strengthens our relationship with God and helps us to understand Him more. It reflects His love to the world. As we forgive, let us also pray for those who have wronged us, trusting that God can work in their lives as He has worked in our own. Let’s pay it forward by forgiving and praying for others, knowing that God’s love and grace are limitless. If He can forgive us, surely we can forgive too. As Jesus said in John 13:34:
“A new command I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
”As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
Today, I paid it forward (and will continue to forever) by forgiving and praying for others. I hope you’ll do the same. Let God guide you, heal you, and show you the beauty of a heart that forgives. Psalm 103:12 says:
I’m extending my rose of forgiveness to all who have wronged me. I want to tell you that I love you! I will always love you; very much! If God can forgive us so completely, surely we can extend that same grace to others.
Will you?
I pray many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many blessings over you,
xoxo
Rosalyn Rose