Prayers of Forgiveness
Found on a scrap of paper at the liberation of Ravensbruck Concentration Camp in Germany
Lord, remember not only the men of good will, but also those of ill will. But do not remember all the suffering they have inflicted upon us. Remember rather the fruits we have brought, thanks to this suffering: our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, the courage, the generosity, the greatness of heart that has grown out of this. And when they come to judgment, let all the fruits we have bourne be their forgiveness.
Hindu Prayer Translated by Swami Chidananda Source: Stotra Mâlâ: Selected Hymns, published by Chinmaya Mission
In the beginning, as a result of my own deeds in past lives, I arrive in the womb of my mother, and stay there in all helplessness and discomfort. Forgive me, O Lord. Forgive my sinful past deeds.
Jain Prayer - Prayer to Be Forgiving
If shot by a gun or pistol, or beaten by a stick,
if bound and thrown into a prison,
May I lose my body,
but not my noble forgiveness.
Hazrat Inayat Khan -Sufi, appropriate for many faiths
Send Thy peace O Lord, which is
perfect and everlasting,
that our souls may radiate peace.
Send Thy peace O Lord, that we
may think, act, and speak harmoniously.
Send Thy peace O Lord, that we
may be contented and thankful for
Thy bountiful gifts.
Send Thy peace O Lord, that amidst
our worldly strife, we may enjoy Thy bliss.
Send Thy peace O Lord, that we
may endure all, tolerate all, in the thought of
Thy grace and mercy.
Send Thy peace O Lord, that our lives
may become a Divine vision and in Thy light,
all darkness may vanish.
Send Thy peace O Lord, our Father and Mother,
that we Thy children on Earth may all unite in one family.
Buddhist Prayer - Repentance Gatha
All wrongdoing arises from the mind.
When the mind is purified, what trace of wrong is left?
After repentance, my heart is light like the white clouds
that have always floated over the ancient forest in freedom.
Unitarian-Universalist meditation - Palm Sunday
This is what we get in life: We want and want and want-undying love, a world that is fair, eternal life for ourselves and those we care about-and we can’t ever have them. We are faced always with a savior dead and gone and an empty tomb to prove it.
We have, I believe, been extended not salvation but mercy. Jesus’ “reign of God” is with us-has been with us-radically, mercifully, all along in such forms as kindness, fairness, and wonder. We don’t have to wait for Judgment Day, we don’t have to be perfect, we don’t have to be afraid; we need only look around and awaken to what has existed from the beginning of time.
We go on wanting and hoping and sometimes we are blessed. We don’t get what we want-the tomb is still empty. Against that background every act of mercy is cause for rejoicing. One stalk of asparagus, a kiss, stirring music, a healthy morning, a good laugh, a kind touch we have all that and all of it, all of it, is holy.
Catholic version of “The Lord’s Prayer”
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil
Lutheran Prayer - For Finding Peace of Mind through Forgiveness
To Thy Father-heart I come today, Lord God, seeking peace of mind. I am distressed and perturbed, irritated and worried, full of dissatisfaction with myself and the world around me. My sinful heart is rebellious, my day is filled with envy, and my feelings are so easily hurt. I know, O Lord, that I myself am at fault. I have not opened my heart to Thee, nor have I given service and consideration to those with whom I live in this home and to those with whom I must work throughout the day. Everything annoys me, I must confess. Those with whom I work get on my nerves. O God, I admit that it is I, my sins, my lovelessness, which create these situations. Therefore, I come to Thee, asking Thee for grace to conquer myself. Restore to me the desire to walk in Thy presence, and let me live in the sunshine of Thy love.
Forgive me all my sins, and fill my soul with peace. Go with me, Lord, through the day, put my mind at ease, and speak peace to my soul through that reconciliation which is found in the Cross of Jesus, my Savior. Amen.
Islamic prayer
O God you are my Lord, there is none worthy of worship besides You. You created me and I am your servant, and I am on your path as best I can. I seek refuge in You from any evil I have committed. I confess to Your blessings upon me, and I confess to You my sins, so forgive me. Verily none forgives sins except You.
Serenity Prayer - Original version as written by Reinhold Niebuhr
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference
I Wait for HaShem - Psalms 130: 1-8 - Source: Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
Out of the depths have I called Thee, O HaShem.
Lord, hearken unto my voice; let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
If Thou, HaShem, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
For with Thee there is forgiveness, that Thou mayest be feared.
I wait for HaShem, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope.
My soul waiteth for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning; yea, more than watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, hope in HaShem; for with HaShem there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.
And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Buddhist Prayer - Seven-limb Prayer
Reverently I prostrate with my body, speech and mind,
And present clouds of every type of offering, actual and mentally transformed.
I confess all my negative actions accumulated since beginning-less time,
And rejoice in the virtues of all holy and ordinary beings.
Please remain until cyclic existence ends,
And turn the wheel of Dharma for sentient beings.
I dedicate all the virtues of myself and others to the great enlightenment.
“Lord, I Repent,” by Reverend Chestina Mitchell Archibald:
Blessed Lord,
From the bottom of my heart, I pray in deep repentance. My guilt overwhelms me. I have not lived my life according to Your precepts. Your expectations are great and I feel unworthy of Your unconditional love. Your guidance I have not heeded. Help me overcome temptations. Strengthen me where I am weak and build me up where I am torn down. I humbly ask You for Your forgiveness and pray for the strength to make a new beginning. Though I am not worthy, please grant me Your infinite mercy and help me to mature and become more like You. I pray in Christ’s name.
Amen.
These prayers are taken from a website called www.prayerinamerica.org
