Today I offer a prayer for bitterness – or rather a prayer for forgiveness, the antidote of bitterness. Bitterness, that deep-rooted disdain we harbor against someone, colors our perspective and encourages us to see them through a distorted lens. If we’re not careful, unresolved bitterness can become full-blown hatred for someone, and that is not a Christlike behavior. Jesus forgave everyone, even those who despised Him and called for His execution. To be like Jesus is to forgive everyone for everything, which we can only accomplish through His love.
Father God, our Loving and Compassionate Lord, You have forgiven us greatly, and quickly. You teach us that being in “the gall of bitterness” is a dangerous place, and that “the root of bitterness” troublesome, which defiles our souls. You remind us that the hearts knows its own bitterness, and in it no joy can be found or shared. You encourage us to deny any bitterness, wrath, unrighteous anger, slander, and malice, replacing them with Your grace and mercy. This is only possible through the forgiveness You gave us through Jesus, which we can only obtain through the gift of Your grace and mercy. May we learn to only have unrestrained mouths in Your presence, only then speaking of the anguish of our souls, and the bitterness of our hearts. May we lament in Your presence alone so our unforgiveness for our neighbors may become forgiveness, and their sins against us would no longer be resentment in our hearts. May we never forget that bitterness and grudges come out of selfishness, and if maintained, will ultimately lead to our destruction, and potentially the destruction of others as well. We recognize that You command us to forgive our neighbors just as You have forgiven us, knowing that Your love covers a multitude of sin, both ours and theirs. Spirit please continually remind us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to become angry, and to forgive quickly, just as Christ Jesus forgave us. Father, may Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, forever and ever, amen.
[Inspired by: Ac 8:23, Heb 12:15, Pro 14:10, Eph 4:31, Col 3:8, Job 7:11, Mt 6:14-15, Mk 11:25, Isa 38:17, Col 3:13, Pro 10:12, Jas 1:19-20, Eph 4:32]
~ Conqueror in Training