Stones of Forgiveness

Last night I partook of a wonderful experience with women in prayer.
Set up all around the room were prayer centers. There are many great ideas at a website http://www.creativeprayer.com/index.php?blog=1. I am grateful that they had so many experiences listed and ready to try out. We had 8 stations each one with a focus, verse, picture, object or task.

One of the stations focused on forgiveness. At this table were smooth flat stones and washable markers. As we prayed if a person came to mind that we needed to forgive we were instructed to write their initials on the stone and then asked to offer a prayer of blessing for them.

As I held onto the stone in my hands,I realizedhow powerless I am to forgive anyone. Only through Christ can I even attempt to forgive. Only through His blood and forgiveness in my life, do I know how to forgive and to receive forgiveness.

The next step was to wash the stone in water and watch the name drip away. This was very significant for me. I have been holding onto this for way to long. God does not remember my sins, should I hold onto the sins of others? It felt good to release this and ask blessing for this person.

Holding onto unforgiveness takes up space that God wants to have in our hearts. I wonder how much space I have been wasting? If I truly want to be filled to overflowing with the Spirit then There has to be room for Him.


I have a suspicion that I may need to use some more stones! :)

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. Mark 11:25

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13


Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times Matthew 18:21-22

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14

Father,

How many times have you forgiven me? I am grateful and humbled by your mercy and grace. You have also blessed me beyond belief. I stand before you as one who has experieinced your love and peace and yet struggle to let go of old hurts, dissappointments and forgive. Outwardly I may appear as one who is upright, but you oh Lord know the condition of those places in my heart. As I hold these stone in front of you, may I be as Abraham and offer them to you as an altar of praise. Bless these dear ones of yours and remove from me the stain of unforgiveness. I am humbled by you longsuffering and crave to know you more.

Jann