20 Powerful Prayers For Forgiveness

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

Whether you are seeking forgiveness for your own sins or asking God for forgiving others, forgiveness prayer is the best way to ask for God’s power to overcome whatever sin is difficult for you and start seeking restoration and healing.

Simple Prayers for Forgiveness

General Prayer for Forgiveness

Heavenly Father,

I come before You with a humble and contrite heart, seeking Your mercy and grace. I acknowledge my sins and shortcomings, and I am truly sorry for the ways I have fallen short of Your glory.

Lord, forgive me for the wrongs I have done, for the times I have failed to love others as You have loved me, and for the moments when I have not lived according to Your will. Cleanse me from my iniquities and purify my heart.

Help me to forgive those who have wronged me, just as You have forgiven me. Grant me the strength to let go of any bitterness or resentment, and to embrace a spirit of reconciliation and love.

Guide me on the path of righteousness, and empower me to live a life that reflects Your grace and compassion. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, that I may walk in Your ways and grow in my relationship with You.

Thank You, Lord, for Your unending mercy and love. I trust in Your promise that if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Amen.

Short Prayer for Forgiveness

Dear Lord,

I come to You with a humble heart, seeking Your forgiveness. I am truly sorry for my sins and the ways I have fallen short.

Please cleanse me and make me whole again. Help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me.

Thank You for Your mercy and grace.

In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Amen.

Healing Prayers For Forgiveness

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.

Psalm 25:6-7

Remember, Lord,
your compassion and mercy
which you showed long ago.
Do not recall the sins and failings of my youth.
In your mercy remember me, lord,
because of your goodness.

Book of Psalm

Prayer for the Forgiveness of Sins

O Lord, Jesus Christ, Redeemer and Saviour, forgive my sins, just as You forgave Peter’s denial and those who crucified You. Count not my transgressions, but, rather, my tears of repentance. Remember not my iniquities, but, more especially, my sorrow for the offenses I have committed against You. I long to be true to Your Word, and pray that You will love me and come to make Your dwelling place within me. I promise to give You praise and glory in love and in service all the days of my life.

Prayer for Forgiving Others

Dear Merciful Lord,
Thank you for your gift of forgiveness. Your only Son loved me enough to come to earth and experience the worst pain imaginable so I could be forgiven. Your mercy flows to me in spite of my faults and failures. Your Word says to “clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” (Col. 3:14) Help me demonstrate unconditional love today, even to those who hurt me.

I understand that even though I feel scarred, my emotions don’t have to control my actions. Father, may Your sweet words saturate my mind and direct my thoughts. Help me release the hurt and begin to love as Jesus loves. I want to see my offender through my Savior’s eyes. If I can be forgiven, so can he. I understand there are no levels to your love. We are all your children, and your desire is that none of us should perish.

You teach us to “let the peace that comes from Christ rule in our hearts.” (Col. 3:15) When I forgive in words, allow your Holy Spirit to fill my heart with peace. I pray this peace that only comes from Jesus will rule in my heart, keeping out doubt and questions. And above all, I am thankful. Not just today, not just this week, but always. Thank you for the reminder, “Always be thankful.” (Col. 3:15) With gratitude I can draw closer to you and let go of unforgiveness. With gratitude I can see the person who caused my pain as a child of the Most High God. Loved and accepted. Help me find the compassion that comes with true forgiveness.

And when I see the person who hurt me, bring this prayer back to my remembrance, so I can take any ungodly thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5) And may the confidence of Christ in my heart guide me into the freedom of forgiveness. I praise you for the work you are doing in my life, teaching and perfecting my faith. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Kristine Brown

Forgive All My Sins

Lord Jesus,
You opened the eyes of the blind,
healed the sick,
forgave the sinful woman,
and after Peter’s denial confirmed him in your love.
Listen to my prayer:
forgive all my sins,
renew your love in my heart,
help me to live in perfect unity
with my fellow Christians
that I may proclaim your saving power
to all the world.

Lamb of God

Lord Jesus Christ,
You are the lamb of God;
you take away the sins of the world.
Through the grace of the Holy Spirit
restore me to friendship with your Father,
cleanse me from every stain of sin
in the blood you shed for me,
and raise me to new life for the glory of your name.

Fatima Prayers

The Decade Prayer

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. Amen.

The Pardon Prayer

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee! I beg pardon for all those that do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee.

The Angel’s Prayer

O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary I beg the conversion of poor sinners.

The Eucharistic Prayer

Most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee! My God, my God, I love Thee in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

The Sacrifice Prayer

O Jesus, it is for the love of Thee, in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and for the conversion of poor sinners [that I do this].

Forgiveness Prayers

“Father, today I ask forgiveness of all the negative and harmful words I have spoken about myself. I do not want to abuse myself in such a way again. Transform my thoughts and let me understand how marvelously you made me. Change my habits so I use my tongue to speak hope and favor upon my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
– Sarah Coleman

“Father, I have to thank you for looking beyond my faults and for loving me unconditionally. Forgive me when I fail to love others in the same way. Give me eyes to see the needs of the difficult people in my life, and show me how to meet those needs in a way that pleases You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
– Mary Southerland

“Lord, I want to lay before you all that weighs heavy on my heart. Reveal even the sin I am not aware of, Lord. I lay these at your feet and pray for your forgiveness on me. I believe you when you say that you wash us whiter than snow. Thank you, Lord, for your unending love for me! Help me start fresh right now to make choices that honor you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
– Rick Warren

“Father, I am tempted to worry about so many things. Our world is a mess! Forgive me for focusing on anything or anyone but You. Thank You for the Bible that equips and empowers me to live each day. Right now, I declare that You are my only Hope. Please help me remember that You really are in control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
– Mary Southerland

“Father, I am so sorry for the way I complain about my circumstances. Please forgive me for my bad attitude when things don’t go my way. I want to see Your hand in every part of every day – good or bad. Help me learn how to face every storm with confidence, knowing that you really are in control even though I cannot hear Your voice or see Your hand at work. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
– Mary Southerland

Bible Verses About Forgiveness

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

Matthew 18:21-22 “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”

Mark 11:25 “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Luke 23:34 “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

Acts 3:19 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

Psalm 32:1 “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.”

Micah 7:18-19 “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”

Hebrews 8:12 “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

FAQ: Prayers for Forgiveness

What is the purpose of a prayer for forgiveness?

A prayer for forgiveness serves to:

• Seek God’s Mercy: Ask for God’s mercy and pardon for sins committed.
• Express Repentance: Show genuine remorse and repentance for wrongdoing.
• Receive Healing: Find spiritual and emotional healing through God’s grace.
• Renew Relationship with God: Restore and strengthen one’s relationship with God.

How can I pray for forgiveness?

To pray for forgiveness:

• Acknowledge Your Sins: Confess your sins openly to God.
• Express Sincere Remorse: Show genuine regret and sorrow for your actions.
• Ask for God’s Mercy: Seek God’s mercy and ask for His forgiveness.
• Commit to Change: Promise to turn away from sin and strive to live according to God’s will.

Can I use Bible verses in my prayer for forgiveness?

Yes, incorporating Bible verses can deepen your prayer. Verses such as:

• 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
• Psalm 51:10: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
• Matthew 6:12: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

How often should I pray for forgiveness?

The frequency of praying for forgiveness can vary depending on personal beliefs and spiritual practices. Generally:

• Daily Reflection: Many find it helpful to incorporate prayers for forgiveness in their daily prayers.
• After Sinning: Pray immediately after realizing you’ve sinned.
• During Worship: Include prayers for forgiveness during regular worship services or personal devotion time.

Can I pray for forgiveness for others?

Yes, interceding for others and asking for their forgiveness is also valuable. Pray for their repentance and for God’s mercy to be extended to them.

Example: “Lord, I lift up [Name] to You, asking that You touch their heart and guide them towards repentance. Please forgive their sins and shower them with Your grace and mercy. Help them to turn to You and find peace in Your forgiveness. Amen.”

What is the role of repentance in prayers for forgiveness?

Repentance is crucial in prayers for forgiveness as it involves:

• Acknowledging Sin: Recognizing and admitting your sins.
• Expressing Sorrow: Feeling genuine remorse for your actions.
• Seeking Forgiveness: Asking God for His mercy and pardon.
• Committing to Change: Deciding to turn away from sinful behaviors and strive to live according to God’s will.

Can prayers for forgiveness be part of a group prayer?

Yes, prayers for forgiveness can be included in group prayers. Group prayers can foster a sense of community and shared accountability, helping each member to seek and offer forgiveness collectively.

Example: “Lord, as a community, we come before You to seek Your forgiveness for our collective and individual sins. Cleanse our hearts, renew our spirits, and help us to walk in Your ways. Teach us to forgive one another as You have forgiven us. Amen.”

How does forgiveness impact my relationship with God?

Forgiveness impacts your relationship with God by:

• Restoring Fellowship: Re-establishing a close and intimate relationship with God.
• Healing: Providing spiritual and emotional healing from the burden of sin.
• Peace and Joy: Bringing inner peace and joy through the assurance of God’s mercy and grace.
• Growth: Facilitating spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God’s love and compassion.

What if I struggle to forgive myself?

If you struggle to forgive yourself:

• Seek God’s Help: Pray for the strength to forgive yourself as God has forgiven you.
• Meditate on Scripture: Reflect on Bible verses that emphasize God’s forgiveness and love.
• Counseling: Consider talking to a spiritual advisor or counselor for guidance and support.