The Gift Of Forgiveness

The Gift of Forgiveness

Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

Matthew 6:12

John’s sister was brutally killed by two nineteen-year-olds looking for a car to steal. Both murderers were sent to death row, but that didn’t take away John’s pain, and it didn’t bring his sister back.

Months later there had still been no resolution for John; he was still filled with despair and anger at the cruelties inflicted on his sister. Nothing helped until he began going to the state prison to talk about his sister, listen to the prisoners, and show them forgiveness and hope. These experiences became the seeds for the ministry John started, a ministry in Texas called “Bridges to Life,” which brings inmates together with their victims and/or their family members. By meeting in face-to-face conversations with prisoners serving time for crimes like those that claimed the lives of their loved ones, the volunteers let the inmates see the impact of their crimes. They also listen to the prisoners’ stories of abusive childhoods and bad choices and offer them the gift of forgiveness. One mother spoke to men who had committed crimes like the one that killed her daughter. She told them that just as she forgave her daughter’s killer, in order to heal, they must forgive themselves and the people who have hurt them. Seeing the strength the victims found to forgive has given many inmates the strength to take responsibility, ask forgiveness, and forgive themselves. When these courageous men and women who have suffered so much because of crimes against them and their loved ones choose to forgive and foster reconciliation, they don’t change the past. But they do change the future—for themselves and for those who committed crimes.

You and I may not face this kind of pain, but to make any real spiritual progress or experience inner health, we, too, need to forgive those who have hurt us. Holding on to grudges, resentment, and anger damages our own souls. But forgiving others frees us of the past and makes room in our hearts for peace and joy. —CHERI

Show me those I need to forgive, and flood me with your forgiveness, Jesus. Thank you for forgiving my sins when you died on the cross.

Humanity is never so beautiful as when praying for forgiveness or when forgiving another. —JOHANN PAUL RICHTER (1763–1825), GERMAN WRITER