Holy Spirit - Breath of GodSample

FORGIVENESS

“Don’t wait to forgive until you feel like forgiving; you will never get there. Feelings take time to heal after the choice to forgive is made."— NEIL ANDERSON

Who do you need to forgive?

Are you aware of how your bitter spirit is hindering you from experiencing more of the person, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit?

Jesus entered the world to live, suffer, die, and rise again, offering the gift of forgiveness. As he hung on the cross, his final words were a plea for forgiveness: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” To mirror Jesus’s example and grow in holiness, we must embrace forgiveness. It’s a non-negotiable aspect of following him.

Notably, Jesus emphasises forgiveness over reconciliation, understanding that true reconciliation requires willingness from both parties. What matters most to Jesus is a heart that is ready to forgive—a heart that forgives consistently and unconditionally.

THE LIST EXERCISE

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”— LEWIS B. SMEDES

• STEP 1: Get a sheet of paper and invite the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any people you are annoyed at or feeling hurt by. Write down any names that come to mind. Trust that God understands your heart, even when you may not fully comprehend it yourself.
• STEP 2: Reflect on the immense forgiveness you have received through Jesus Christ. Consider how he paid the price for your sins. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you how forgiven and loved you are.
• STEP 3: Go through the list of names one by one, praying, “Because of the forgiveness I’ve received through Jesus, I choose to forgive ________.” As you speak each name, symbolically release any bitterness or resentment by crossing it off the list. It’s okay if you repeat the same names each time. Remember, this is a personal process, so keep it private—it’s about your heart, not about reaching out to those on your list. You’ll know forgiveness has truly occurred when you can pray for blessings upon those individuals.