Assignment: I Forgive Them....
Objective: To encourage students to actively engage in the process of forgiveness by identifying individuals they need to forgive and symbolically releasing the burden of unforgiveness.
Instructions:
- Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on your life and think about anyone whom you feel has wronged you or hurt you in some way. Consider how holding onto these feelings may have impacted your emotional and spiritual well-being.
- What specific grievances do you hold against this person or situation?
- How has holding onto unforgiveness affected your emotional well-being and spiritual life?
- What emotions do you experience when you think about this situation or person?
- Writing Exercise:
- On a piece of paper, write down the full name of the person you need to forgive.
- Below their name, briefly describe the situation or circumstances that led to your need for forgiveness. You may include your feelings associated with this situation, but keep it concise.
- Prayer and Intention:
- Before moving to the next step, take a moment to pray or meditate on the importance of forgiveness. Ask for strength and guidance to truly let go of any negative feelings associated with this person.
God, I forgive _________________ for _____________________(fill in the blank with
whatever God shows you that you need to forgive).
- Participation in the Symbolic Act:
- Once everyone has completed their writings, gather the papers in a central location.
- Provide a large bag or container that symbolizes the act of letting go.
- One by one, invite students to come forward and place their paper into the bag while saying a brief phrase, such as "I release you and let go of this burden" or "I forgive you and choose healing."
- Group Reflection:
- Afterwards, gather as a group to share insights into the experience. Invite participants to discuss their feelings about the process, how it felt to write and release the names, and any changes they anticipate as a result of their decision to forgive.
- Final Commitment:
- Encourage each student to keep the act of forgiveness at the forefront of their minds. Suggest they revisit the bag in their hearts if they begin to struggle with feelings of unforgiveness again and remind themselves of their intention to forgive.
This assignment aims to provide a practical and symbolic means of addressing unforgiveness, fostering healing, and encouraging a transformative experience for all participants.
Appendix 8– Forgiveness Prayer for Counselee
Dear Lord,
Father, you have made it clear that you desire the healing and freedom for me that
forgiveness brings. You require that I forgive so I can receive your forgiveness.
Therefore, I choose to forgive the following individuals for:
I forgive all who played a part in encouraging me to sin and disobey you. I forgive all
who hurt and wounded me out of their own hurts. I forgive and release all of those
whom I thought owed me debt or apologies. I will no longer play the victim. I release
myself from that spirit and tell it to go, in Jesus Name. I let go of all judgments and
punishments that I wanted them to receive for hurting me. I repent of any spoken word
curses that I released against them. I ask You Father to forgive me for cursing them
with my words and actions. I submit them to You and ask that You will bless them as
well as myself to know you better and to serve You with all of our hearts.
In the Precious Name of Jesus, I make this request. Amen
Remember, forgiving others is through the power of Christ within you. Ask Jesus to give
you His strength and grace to forgive.
God, I forgive _________________ for _____________________(fill in the blank with
whatever God shows you that you need to forgive).
