Lord Jesus, I struggle with how I’ve been so badly hurt
by those who have committed such violence against
my loved one and then took my beloved’s life.
Every day I think of the one missing from my life!
Every day I think of the person who changed my family with their thoughtless action.
I love the one and can’t help but feel outrage at the other.
How did you do it, Gentle Savior?
How did You forgive – even as you suffered horribly on your cross?
Why can’t I do the same?
As much as I want to forgive – become more like You – I’m afraid to forgive.
What if I do forgive,
and others think I didn’t really love my family member?
What if I do forgive,
and that makes me forget the one my heart aches for?
Send your Holy Spirit to guide me through these questions to the right answers.
I ask You to help me come to realize that I cannot do this alone.
It is not possible for me to forgive well in my own power –
it is your grace alone that can sustain me through
the work that my mind and my heart need to do.
I ask now for the Faith that You will strengthen me.
I ask now for the Hope that I will get through this with You by my side.
I ask now for the Charity I need to love my enemy and
to forgive as my Heavenly Father forgives me.
I ask for all this grace from You, in union with the Father and through the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
