Prayers for Forgiveness

Prayers for Receiving Forgiveness

1. General Prayer of Confession

Heavenly Father, I come before You acknowledging my sin. I confess [specific sins]. I am truly sorry for what I've done. I've fallen short of Your glory. Please forgive me and cleanse me. Wash me whiter than snow. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Help me to turn from this sin and walk in Your ways. Thank You that if I confess my sins, You are faithful and just to forgive me and purify me from all unrighteousness. I receive Your forgiveness by faith. In Jesus' name, Amen.

2. Prayer for Deep Repentance

Lord, I don't just want to say sorry—I want true repentance. Break my heart over what breaks Yours. Show me the full weight of my sin and its consequences. I don't want to continue in this pattern. Give me genuine sorrow that leads to change. Transform my heart. Make me hate sin and love righteousness. I turn away from sin and turn toward You. Restore the joy of my salvation. Help me to walk in freedom. Thank You for Your mercy. Amen.

3. Prayer for Past Sins

Father, I'm haunted by sins from my past. Even though I've confessed them before, guilt still grips me. Help me to believe what Your Word says—that You've removed my sins as far as the east is from the west. You remember them no more. Satan is the accuser, not You. I reject condemnation and receive Your complete forgiveness. Help me to forgive myself. I am a new creation in Christ. The old has gone, the new has come. I walk in freedom today. Amen.

Prayers for Forgiving Others

4. Prayer to Forgive Someone Who Hurt You

Lord, [name] hurt me deeply, and I'm struggling to forgive. But Your Word commands me to forgive as You've forgiven me. I choose to forgive them today—not because they deserve it, but because You call me to. I release them from the debt they owe me. I let go of bitterness, anger, and the desire for revenge. Heal my wounded heart. Help me to see them through Your eyes. Give me supernatural grace to genuinely forgive. I trust You to handle justice. I am free from unforgiveness. In Jesus' name, Amen.

5. Prayer for Self-Forgiveness

God, I've confessed my sin to You, and You've forgiven me. But I can't forgive myself. I keep replaying my failures and mistakes. Help me to accept Your forgiveness fully. If You no longer hold this against me, why should I? Break the cycle of self-condemnation. Let me see myself as You see me—forgiven, loved, and redeemed. Help me to extend to myself the same grace You've shown me. I choose to forgive myself today. Amen.

6. Prayer for Reconciliation

Father, there is broken relationship between me and [name]. I've forgiven them in my heart, but I desire reconciliation. If it's Your will and safe, open the door for restoration. Give me wisdom to know when and how to approach them. Soften both our hearts. Help us to communicate with grace and humility. Heal what's broken. Restore what the enemy destroyed. Let forgiveness lead to renewed relationship. Your will be done. In Jesus' name, Amen.

7. Prayer for Forgiving Repeatedly

Lord, this person keeps hurting me. I've forgiven them multiple times, and they've done it again. Jesus said to forgive seventy times seven—endlessly. Give me grace to keep forgiving. This doesn't mean I allow abuse or don't set boundaries. But help me to release bitterness every time. Protect my heart from hardness. Let me forgive as You forgive—completely and repeatedly. I trust You with justice. I choose love and forgiveness. Amen.

Scriptures on Forgiveness

Meditate on these truths about God's forgiveness:

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins" (1 John 1:9)
"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions" (Psalm 103:12)
"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12)
"Bear with each other and forgive one another...as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13)
"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions...and remembers your sins no more" (Isaiah 43:25)

Remember:

God's forgiveness is immediate and complete when you confess
You must forgive others to receive God's forgiveness
Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling
God never brings up forgiven sins again
Forgiveness brings freedom and peace