Prayers for Forgiveness
Forgiveness runs two ways. We need it from God for what we've done, and we're asked to give it to the people who hurt us. Neither is easy, and neither usually happens in one prayer.
These prayers are for both: for confessing honestly and receiving mercy, and for beginning to release someone who wronged you. Forgiving is not the same as excusing harm or staying in danger. Below are King James verses about forgiveness.
God,
Father, I have things to confess, and You already know them. I'm sorry. Thank You that if I confess, You are faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me. Create in me a clean heart. And Lord, there's someone I'm finding hard to forgive. I'm not ready to feel it yet, but I choose to start. Take the bitterness I've been carrying. Heal the hurt underneath it, and help me forgive as You forgave me.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Get a forgiveness prayer in your inbox
A short prayer and a King James verse in your inbox at 6 AM Eastern. Free.
Free gift when you join: 7 Nights of Peace. Seven bedtime prayers and seven KJV promises for anxious hearts.
One short email a day. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy
Bible verses about forgiveness (KJV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
The Light Is Coming (Advent)
Prayers for Anxious Hearts
Comfort for Grieving Hearts
Season Bundle (all three)
New Mercies (New Year 2027)