When we face betrayal, forgiveness isn’t our automatic response. To people who are experiencing unforgiveness, their feelings of anger, confusion, and deep pain seem natural and justified.  It is important to remind them that their hurt and pain is real and noticed. Forgiveness doesn’t come natural to us, it is a learned response that is based on God's forgiveness toward us. Whenever we refuse to forgive someone who has wronged us or you forget your own need to be forgiven, we end up building a wall of bitterness between us and others—and even between us and God. There is freedom in forgiveness.

Possible Things to Pray for:

• Healing from past events that have caused bitterness and an unforgiving heart.
• Surrendering and silencing the strongholds that are hindering them from forgiving.
• Ask for them to experience God's peace and joy.
• Repentance for unforgiveness and the distance that it creates between them and God.
• Awareness of the ways that unforgiveness is affecting them negatively.
• Turning to God and asking Him to deal with the situation.

Verses to Share:

1 John 3:20 NIV - “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”

Romans 12:19 NIV - Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

James 1:19-20 NIV - My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Luke 17:3-4 NIV - So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

Bible Plans:

Unforgiveness and the Power of Pardon - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/19983-unforgiveness-and-the-power-of-pardon                                                                                                                

Free to Forgive - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/2743-free-to-forgive

Message Series:                                                                                      

The Grudge - https://www.life.church/media/the-grudge/                           

Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt - https://www.life.church/media/love-like-youve-never-been-hurt/

Blog Posts:                                                                                                       

What is Forgiveness? - https://finds.life.church/what-is-forgiveness/                  

A Forgiveness Prayer - https://finds.life.church/a-forgiveness-prayer-inspired-by-what-jesus-said-about-forgiveness/

Helpful Songs:                                                                                                 

Quiet by Elevation Rhythm -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MSJVwKGT1I              

Breakthrough by Red Rocks Worship - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ni5_JGRrgs