The Hard Work of Forgiveness | Your Nightly Prayer

Forgiveness isn’t a feeling—it’s a decision. And sometimes, it’s one we have to make daily. When someone hurts us deeply, it’s tempting to cling to the pain. Our human instinct is to guard our heart, replay the offense, and justify our resentment. After all, letting go feels unfair when the wound is still fresh, the betrayal still stings, or the apology never comes. But forgiveness isn’t about pretending nothing happened. It’s not forgetting, enabling, or denying justice. It’s about releasing our right to vengeance and placing it in the hands of God. It’s about choosing peace over bitterness—not for their sake, but for ours. Forgiveness is hard work because it often comes with no guarantee of reconciliation. It asks us to surrender control and trust God with the outcome. And if you're in the middle of that wrestling match—between anger and grace, justice and mercy—you are not alone. Maybe you’ve whispered a prayer for when you feel discouraged, feeling stuck in the pain of a broken relationship. Maybe you’ve offered a prayer in the waiting, asking God for healing that hasn’t yet come. Or perhaps you're praying for the strength to take the first step—to open the door to restoration, even if just within your own heart. Here’s the good news: forgiveness doesn’t mean the wound never mattered. It means you're no longer letting it control you. Faith says, “God sees me. God will heal me. God will deal justly.” And when we release others through forgiveness, we also release ourselves from spiritual bondage. So today, as you sit with God in your daily prayer, ask Him to do what only He can—soften your heart, strengthen your resolve, and remind you that forgiveness doesn’t minimize the pain, but it magnifies His power.

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