Asking for
Forgiveness -
by Robert Moorman, Arizona death row
All people need to ask God
to forgive them for their sins.But they also need to ask
the person or people they hurt by their action(s)
or deed(s). Yes it is very hard to do.
Asking for forgiveness is the
right thing to do,but it has to come from the person's
heart.It will be hard and the person might not accept your
asking forgiveness because their deep anger (hatred)won't let
them.They might say you're playing a game,or you're just wanting
people to be nice to you,or there are many other things they may
say or think.You the one asking to be forgiven have to make the first
move to heal the pain.Yes,it will never go away (the guilt,the shame)but
if you're truly sorry it helps.
It is hard to be open and honest
- asking a victim or a victim's family member is even
harder.
God wants you to repent
of your sins by talking about them and to ask the ones you
hurt to forgive you.God knows if you're truly being honest
about your feelings and if you are really sorry.
I know how hard it is to ask
a family member to forgive you.My cousin Paul and I hadn't
talked in over 30 years.Writing him was the hardest thing
I have ever done.I was scared he wouldn't accept me, and
scared he wouldn't accept what I was saying.He did,and forgave
me,and years later another cousin forgave me.
But so many other family members
just will not hear me out.(I pray for them and do not
have any anger towards them.Because it was me that hurt
them.Even as a child I was not easy to get on with.I do love
them and pray that some day they can forgive me.)
To me,the person who is asking
to be forgiven needs to ask God first ,and truly believe
in God's love and He will forgive you.
And the person being asked
to forgive needs to believe in God's love,His mercy,His
willingness to forgive sin,and he needs to open his heart
and truly try to forgive.It will be the hardest thing he ever
did.But it will start a real healing and bring him closer to
our Heavenly Father who wants us to forgive those who trespass against
us.(The Lord's Prayer).
All of us
need faith in God.
Forgive
those who hurt you, a friend or a family member.
Also,ask
people you have done wrong to for their forgiveness.
We are all
sinners and need God's forgiveness.
But why
should He forgive you if you can't forgive the people
who have done harm to you,a friend or a family member.
Ask God
for help.
He answers
prayers.
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This page was
last updated September 19, 2003 Canadian Coalition Against the Death Penalty
This page is maintained
and updated by Dave Parkinson and Tracy Lamourie in Toronto, Canada