A Prayer about Letting Go of Resentment

Love…keeps no record of wrongs.

1 Corinthians 13:5

Gracious God,

Today you guide us to read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

replacing the word love with God.*

Indeed, when we read “God keeps no record of wrongs,” 

your Spirit pricks our hearts. 

Is it really true? 

Do you, who are patient and kind, 

perfectly loving, 

really not keep a record of our wrongs? 

Yes, according to Scripture, 

if we are in Christ, 

it is true! Romans 4 tells us, 

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, 

and whose sins are covered; 

blessed is the man 

against whom the Lord will not count his sin” (Romans 4:7-8). 

And in 2 Corinthians, 

“in Christ, 

God was reconciling the world to himself, 

not counting their trespasses against them…” (5:19). 

Oh gracious Father, 

show us anew how amazing your grace is, 

how wonderfully free we are in Christ. 

And by your grace, transform us. 

For who are we to keep a record of wrongs, 

to build up resentment, 

hard and crusty, 

if you, the Lord against whom we have sinned, 

do not do so because of the perfect sacrifice of your Son? 

Help us, Lord, we pray.

In Jesus’ transforming name. Amen.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Romans 4:7-8; 2 Corinthians 5:19. 

*This suggestion came from Jan Johnson, in Meeting God in Scripture