The Power of Forgiveness in Relationships

Do you know the incredible power of forgiveness?

I was talking with a mentor, an older and godly woman who has kindly and graciously given me advice and support the past couple years: She shared a prayer that I could use relating to the power of forgiveness. There are almost always people in our lives we probably need to forgive (even if we aren’t aware!) so I encourage you to read and pray.

On the power of forgiveness, my mentor shared shared:

If I’m ever feel down, heavy, discouraged, confused, defeated, depressed etc., 95% of the time I assume it is spiritual.  I ask Holy Spirit to show me where I’ve been, who I’ve been with in the last few days. Most often He reminds me of words spoken (even unintentional or in jest), behaviour or attitude towards me, and I’ll have a sense the enemy has used it to harass me in some way, either physically (very often pain, especially in the back), emotionally or mentally, or even as an attack on our finances.

First, find a quiet place and come before God. Ask if there is anything he wants to highlight that you may need to forgive (accusation, judgment, words of curse, jealousy).

Repent and ask forgiveness where you have been guilty of similar things. Forgive the person/s then release them from your judgement.

Break off the power of the words, jealousy (or whatever) and command them to leave. Then brea the effect of jealousy on life/back/mind/body/finances etc. Then command the heaviness and tiredness etc. to lift off and ask the Holy Spirit to fill and strengthen / empower. Ask for the peace and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If a specific name comes to mind I usually name the person/s who have spoken words of jealousy about me as there seems to be more authority in the prayer that way. However, I am not accusing them in my heart – I am aware the enemy is just using them to attack me.  I just make sure I have totally forgiven them.

Therefore the prayer would be something like the following, using the name Susan as an example:

In the name of Jesus I cut off any spirit of jealousy, envy or words of curse spoken over me or about me by Susan. I forgive her and release her from my judgement and I bless her. I repent where I have often been guilty of the same things and ask your forgiveness Lord.
Now in the name of Jesus I break the power of the spirit of jealousy, envy and accusation off my life. Go in Jesus name.
In Jesus name I break the power this spirit has had over my body,my emotions,my mind and any effects over my life and I command you to leave me now.  I lift off the spirit of heaviness and witchcraft off me now and I ask you Holy Spirit to fill me with joy, with your power and the peace and grace of the Lord Jesus.
Thank you Father, I give you praise.

Verses to encourage you!

Matthew 6:14-15: “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Matthew 18:21-22: “Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”

Luke 6:37: “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

Colossians 3:13: “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

I hope this prayer and these verses encourage you to forgive and seek God for forgiveness, too. Forgiveness is not just an outward expression, but it is a reflection of God’s incredible love to us, and His forgiveness of all our sins.

“Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:48)

Forgiveness is real and powerful.

Article: John Piper – Desiring God

Book: As We Forgive Those by Elisabeth Elliot

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