Lent's a time for me to review my life
with all its failings and blessings,
a time to take a personal inventory
of how I've loved or failed to love God
and all those whose paths have crossed mine...
When I look to my past, I remember
those I've hurt, disappointed and even betrayed:
more often than not,
doing harm was not my intention
but harm I caused nonetheless
by my selfishness, my carelessness,
my haste and neglect...
are as fragile or even more fragile than I am,
that I need to be careful, compassionate and gentle
with everyone whose path crosses mine…
Lord, if there are ways for me to make amends,
show me how and give me the courage
to say what I need to say
and to do what I need to do,
show me how and give me the courage
to say what I need to say
and to do what I need to do,
- and all of this sooner than later...
And if the time and circumstances for making amends
have long since passed me by,
then hear my prayer for those I've hurt
then hear my prayer for those I've hurt
and heal what’s passed beyond my reach…
Open my eyes, my mind and heart
to those around me now, Lord:
wake me to their presence,
to those around me now, Lord:
wake me to their presence,
their plight and their needs
and keep me gentle in all the ways
that my life touches theirs...
And when others harm me
with their words and deeds,
teach me to forgive, Lord,
as you, in your mercy, always pardon me...
Help me forgive those who've hurt me:
help me forgive family and friends
who've done me harm;
help me forgive strangers
whose victim I have been;
help me forgive those who've hurt me
by mistake or even by intention;
help me forgive my enemy, Lord,
those who wish me ill...
O God, this is so hard - too hard!
To forgive the one who's done me wrong
seems illogical, impractical,
unfair, unjust, impossible!
But help me remember, Lord,
how much, how often, how fully and how freely
you've forgiven me
you've forgiven me
you whose law and love so often I've transgressed...
And this, Lord:
help me to see and to trust that when I forgive
the one who's harmed me
the first one I set free - is myself...
Help me forgive those who've hurt me, Lord
so that I'm not longer held captive,
no longer consumed,
no longer shackled
by the anger, animosity and resentment
that eats away at my soul...
I'll pray it again, Lord:
help me to see and to trust that when I forgive
the first one I set free - is myself...
Teach me to forgive as you forgive me:
show me your mercy, Lord,
and teach me to forgive...
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
and watch over me when I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
Especially tonight, our evening song is essential
to the message of this post...
If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!
Forgiveness by Matthew West
It's the hardest thing to give away
And the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those who don't deserve
It's the opposite of how you feel
When the pain they caused is just too real
It takes everything you have to say the word...
Forgiveness
Forgiveness
It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It's always anger's own worst enemy
Even when the jury and the judge
Say you gotta right to hold a grudge
It's the whisper in your ear saying 'set it free'
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness
It'll clear the bitterness away
It can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what its power can do
So let it go and be amazed
By what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness
I want to finally set it free
So show me how to see what your mercy sees
Help me now to give what you gave to me
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness
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