When someone hurts us, the last thing we may feel like doing is praying. However, as Christians, prayer is supposed to be our first response, not our last resort. Instead of trying everything else first, go to God in prayer when someone has wronged you. Here's an outline to get you started:

Thank God.

It may seem like you want to do anything else but thank God, but the Bible says in Psalm 100:4 that we enter into God's presence through thanksgiving. So, set your feelings aside and thank God for forgiving you of your sins and for empowering you to forgive others.

Submit to obedience (God calls us to forgive others).

God requires us to forgive. Ephesians 4:32 says, "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Because we have been freely forgiven, God asks us to forgive others as well. Therefore, we must submit to obedience and forgive, even when we don't feel like it.

Pray for those who have hurt you.

In Matthew 5:44, Jesus says, "Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" Again, regardless of how you feel, Jesus commands us to love our enemies and pray for those who have wronged us. At this point in your prayer time, pray for the people who hurt you. Pray that God will heal them of any pain they're experiencing and that His mercy and grace will be present in their lives.

Pray for healing.

Finally, pray for your healing. Ask God to remove the sting of the words spoken against you or the actions done towards you. Ask God to heal you of all hurt, bitterness, and rage, trusting that He will avenge you.

Try this prayer outline, and let us know how it goes! Follow us on social media @renewed_counseling as we continue our discussion on forgiveness.