e-light: The Prayer of Forgiveness

"Forgiveness is almost a selfish act because of its immense benefits to the one who forgives." - Lawana Blackwell

Matt. 5:44 - "..pray for those who persecute you." (NIV)

It took just three seconds for six bullets to injure four people. At 2:30 pm, on March 30th, 1981, John Hinckley, Jr. attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan, as he exited the Washington Hilton Hotel.

The attempt on the President's life ignited an eruption of activity. He was shoved into his limousine and it sped away towards the White House. When blood was seen coming from his mouth, the life-saving decision was made to go instead directly to George Washington Hospital. Upon his arrival, President Reagan walked into the Emergency Room and immediately crumbled to the floor. No one knew at that time that the sixth and final bullet had first hit the limousine, then pierced the President's chest under his left arm, hit a rib, and finally came to rest within an inch of his heart. The bullet's destructive path caused internal bleeding and a collapsed lung.

With Vice-President George H. W. Bush's plane turning around over the skies of Texas, the remaining White House Cabinet and Senior Staff members rushed to the "Situation Room," bringing with them, a copy of the Constitution and the necessary codes to release nuclear weapons. Not knowing at the time where the threat had come from, American pilots were directed to climb into their nuclear bombers and wait for orders. With Soviet submarines found to be closer than normal off the Eastern coast, tension gripped governments around the world, as everyone watched and waited.

Back at the hospital, President Reagan was finding it harder and harder to breath. Looking up from trauma bed #5, he started to pray. In his diary he wrote about this moment: "But I realized I couldn't ask for Gods help while at the same time I felt hatred for the mixed up young man who had shot me. Isn't that the meaning of the lost sheep? We are all Gods children & therefore equally beloved by him. I began to pray for his soul and that he would find his way back to the fold." The President prayed for the one who had just tried to kill him.

Within a half-hour, President Reagan was stabilized and entered surgery at 3:24 pm, where the bullet was successfully removed - allowing him to make a full and complete recovery.

As Job's trial was coming to a close, God's displeasure turned towards Job's three friends, because of how they'd responded during Job's time of testing. To avoid His judgment, God told them to sacrifice a burnt offering and ask Job to pray for them.

It must have been hard for Job to pray for his friends. He had told them previously, "How long will you torment my soul, And break me in pieces with words?" (Job 19:2 - NKJV). But the Lord not only used Job's prayer to bring forgiveness to his friends, but also to "cleanse" Job's heart of any bitterness and unforgiveness. Through prayer, Job's soul could be refreshed and cleansed of any malice. The Bible then said, "After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." (Job 42:10-NIV) Job's "double portion" of restoration only came after he prayed a prayer of forgiveness for his friends.

It could be that the healing of your mind, body, soul, and spirit is locked away in a "Prison of Unforgiveness."

Now, use the key found in the "Prayer of Forgiveness," to open the prison door and forgive those that have hurt you and thereby allowing the Lord's healing and blessings to pour into your life, today.

Remember:"To forgive is to set the prisoner free, and then discover - that the prisoner was you."

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Contact the author at elightinspirations@gmail.com