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A Prayer about Practicing Forgiveness throughout Our Lives

A Prayer about Practicing Forgiveness throughout Our Lives

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32

Forgiving Father, 

Secular studies have shown that people 

who know they are dying 

benefit from asking forgiveness 

and granting forgiveness 

at the end of life. 

As Christians, this data does not surprise us, 

for you command us to “forgive one another” 

as you have forgiven us in Christ (Ephesians 4:32).

While it’s tricky to know how to forgive 

someone who has abused or betrayed us, 

in Christ, you have given us 

all of the kindness and compassion we need to do so. 

We must remember that forgiveness is not 

minimizing the damage done 

or excusing the offense. 

It is naming, “You hurt me [in this way] 

and I forgive you, 

not in my own power, 

but in the power of the Holy Spirit 

working in me. 

Similarly, to ask forgiveness of another, 

we don’t excuse, or minimize, or blame-shift. 

We simply say, 

“I hurt you by [naming offense], 

and I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?” 

Forgiving Father, you have forgiven us 

our gossip and greediness, 

our lust for more and our lack of kindness, 

our self-absorption and our self-promotion, 

among the long list 

of other betrayals 

we have committed against you. 

Because you have forgiven us in Christ, 

help us to practice forgiving 

and asking forgiveness, 

not just at the end of our lives, 

but every day of our lives.

In Jesus’ restoring name we ask. Amen.

Read Read Ephesians 1:7, 4:32; Matthew 18:21-35; Matthew 5:43-45.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Receiving Jesus’ Cleansing

A Prayer about Receiving Jesus’ Cleansing

“You will never (to eternity) wash my feet.” John 13:8

Jesus, our Faithful Servant,

If we’re honest, we feel the way Peter did: 

you are too good, 

and we are too unworthy for you 

to wash our feet. 

According to Greek scholars*, 

Peter’s response to the idea of Jesus washing his feet is, 

“You will never to eternity wash my feet.” 

In our language, we might say, 

“No way. You will never ever ever wash our feet.” 

Lord, help us in our false humility. 

Help us in our pride. 

Help us in our confusion — 

how can you, 

God incarnate, 

serve us in the lowliest way possible? 

We really need to get this through our skulls 

that are as thick as Peter’s. 

Peter would one day be the “rock” 

on which you would build your church (see Matthew 16:18). 

In this authoritative position, 

he would need your power to submit

to take the lowest places 

to serve others. 

The only way he, and we, 

become empowered to do this 

is to recognize that we are poor and needy, 

but you, the Lord our King, are thinking of us right now (See Psalm 40:17). 

Help us today, Lord. 

Help us to submit 

our minds, 

bodies, 

and spirit to you. 

Cleanse us from our sin, 

and make us ready to serve others 

as your disciples. 

In your humble name we pray.

Amen.

Read John 13:1-11.

*ESV Study Bible note. 



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Hope that Doesn’t Shame Us

A Prayer about Hope that Doesn’t Shame Us

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5

Father God,

What a kind promise:

Hope does not put us to shame…

Many of us have known the shame 

of hoping for things on this earth—

hoping that our parents would get back together, 

hoping that our wandering child would return to you, 

hoping that a disease would be cured,

hoping that we’d get that good job—

all good things to hope for, 

and yet we’ve felt shame about those hopes disappointed.

You dare us to hope again, 

promising that your love has been “poured into our hearts” (Romans 5:5).

Because of that love, even if our earthly hopes are disappointed, 

our hopes for the future are secure. 

One day, Jesus will return. 

One day, you will wipe away tears shed on this earth.

 One day, you welcome us warmly to your new heavens and new earth, 

where all hopes are fulfilled in your glorious kingdom. 

We can hardly wait for that day.

In Jesus’ hope-giving name we pray. Amen. 

Read Romans 5:5; Revelation 21:1-5. 



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about the Grace in Which We Stand

A Prayer about the Grace in Which We Stand

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

Lord Jesus Christ,

What peace and hope and joy we have 

when we trust in you for our salvation.

In you, we have “obtained access,” 

that is, gained entrance into secure relationship with God. 

It’s like the Queen of England has an open door policy 

inviting us into her state room. 

But it’s even better than that. 

Not only are we given an audience with the Queen, 

she welcomes us with delight, 

like familiar family she really loves. 

We don’t wobble in your grace 

as though we’re about to fall out of it; 

we stand in it. 

We are held secure in your grace, 

which will not let us go. 

We stand tall and strong like mighty oaks, 

Unmoved by difficult circumstances.

Not only that, in this grace we rejoice, even boast. 

We are so confident in your grace 

that we want to shout it out like thrilled fans at a football game. 

Our sure hope for today and for the coming years

is that the glory of God will be known throughout all the earth. 

Our joy comes in knowing 

that we get to play a bit part in the story of your glory. 

In your justifying name. Amen. 

Read Romans 4:13-5:2.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about the Perfect Father

A Prayer about the Perfect Father

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

Good and Faithful Father,

On this day 

when some celebrate their earthly fathers 

while some grieve fathers who’ve left this earth 

and others long for the presence of a good father, 

we thank you that you are a better father even 

than this waiting father 

in the story of the lost sons (Luke 15:11-32).

You have run to us through your Son; 

you have embraced us by his death for our sins; 

you have robed us in Christ’s righteousness; 

you have kissed us and welcomed us home 

because of your extravagant grace.

On this Father’s Day on earth, 

let us remember that for those who belong to you, 

every day is Father’s Day, 

every day is a day to praise and thank you, 

our good and glorious Father. 

In your precious Son’s name. Amen.

Read Luke 15:11-32.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Spiritual Battles

A Prayer about Spiritual Battles

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:11

Mighty God,

As I’ve been dealing with some technology tangles

that have me fussing and fuming, 

I’ve realized this could be spiritual attack. 

I pray for myself and for all my fellow prayer warriors 

who are facing a battle with the “cosmic powers” 

and the “spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12).

Help us, Lord, 

to battle in your strength 

against these forces, 

because you have provided a full set of armor, 

and because we’re too weak and frail to fight it in our own strength.

Your belt of truth holds us secure; 

your breastplate of righteousness defends against false accusations; 

your gospel shoes give us the peace of your shalom; 

your shield of faith catches flaming lies; 

your helmet of salvation keeps us safe forevermore; 

your Spirit’s sword, your Holy Word, steadies us in true truth; 

and last but definitely not least, 

the prayers of the saints keep us upright. 

Lord, strengthen us 

that we may continue to share the good news 

of our only hope:

Jesus’ conquering name. Amen. 

Read Ephesians 6:10-20.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker