A Blessing Over Those I Have Forgiven

I have been taking a 16-week healing class every Monday for the past 14 weeks. I cried nearly every week in class beginning on day one. I Iaid my heart bare before the Lord and those who were in attendance with the intention of healing the deep wounds I have been carrying.

As we draw to the conclusion of our class, one of the final assignments was to bless those who have wounded us.

This practice of blessing those who wounded me is not entirely new. When I was nine years old, after being bullied by many girls at school, I discovered the Bible for myself. One of the earliest lessons that formed me was the importance of praying blessings over your enemies. Even as a child, I learned that retaliation was not the way of Christ. I have been praying blessings for years — quietly and privately. What is new for me is writing them out.

I choose to forgive because forgiveness is just that, a choice. I forgive not for personal gain, but as an act of Christlikeness — trusting that as Christ forgave, I too am called to forgive. I lay down anger, bitterness, and vengeance, and I release justice into the hands of the One who is wise enough to determine what justice truly looks like.

My greatest hope is that those who have caused me pain would encounter the deep love of God.

To those who made the conscious decision to view me as invisible,

I bless you with the clarity to see what is true,

the courage to confront the parts of yourself that hide,

and the freedom to walk in integrity, even when no one is watching.

May light illuminate your choices,

and may mercy guide your heart toward what is right.

To those who shut doors so that I could not fulfill my calling in the spaces where you had influence,

I bless you with vision beyond your own limitations,

discernment to see the impact of your choices,

and a heart softened to recognize the gifts of others.

May the walls you build not close you in,

but lead you to humility and wisdom.

To those who spoke words meant to diminish, shame, or control me,

I bless you with insight into the power of your voice,

the courage to speak life instead of harm,

and the humility to listen with a heart that seeks understanding.

May your words become bridges rather than barriers.

To those who used me as a pawn for your own agenda — to open doors for yourself, to gain influence, or to fulfill a personal goal —

I bless you with the revelation of your true intentions,

the courage to walk in integrity even when no one is watching,

and the wisdom to pursue success without sacrificing another’s calling.

May your strategies be purified by love.

To those who judged, misunderstood, labeled, or dismissed me —

I bless you with eyes to see beyond assumption,

hearts that honor truth over opinion,

and the humility to recognize the divine work in others.

May grace transform fear into understanding.

To those who denied my gifts and calling because of my gender,

I bless you with clarity to recognize God’s anointing wherever it rests,

and humility to honor divine purpose over bias.

To those who remained silent when you knew harm had been done,

I bless you with the courage to stand for truth,

integrity when it is inconvenient,

and wisdom to defend what is just and right.

To those who have chosen never to acknowledge the pain you caused,

I bless you with the courage to face the Truth,

the humility to recognize impact,

and the grace to allow healing where it is possible.

I pray God's mercy over you, and that you may one day know the freedom that Truth brings.

I release these words into the hands of God.

May the love of God chase you down

until you know — deeply and undeniably —

the length and width and breadth and depth of His love.

May that love rest upon your family

and guide every present and future endeavor into wisdom and truth.

May the love of Christ awaken you.

Amen.