A short prayer for forgiveness
Lord, I have done wrong, and I am sorry. Have mercy on me, wash me, and make my heart clean again.
Thank You that when I confess, You are faithful to forgive. Help me forgive others as You have forgiven me. Amen.
How to pray about forgiveness
Jesus joined the two kinds of forgiveness in a single line of the Lord's Prayer: "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). These steps cover both.
Be specific when you confess
Name what you did rather than praying a vague "forgive my sins." Specific confession is more honest, and it helps you receive forgiveness for the thing that is actually weighing on you.
Receive God's forgiveness as a promise
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Forgiveness rests on God's faithfulness, not on how forgiven you feel.
Make things right where you can
When Zacchaeus met Jesus, he offered to restore what he had taken (Luke 19:8). Where it is possible and safe, an apology or repair can be part of your prayer.
Be honest about how you were hurt
Forgiving someone does not mean pretending it did not matter. Tell God exactly what happened and how much it hurt. Forgiveness starts with the truth.
Choose to release the debt -- again if needed
Peter asked whether forgiving seven times was enough; Jesus said "Until seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:22). Often forgiveness is not a single moment but a choice you keep making as the hurt resurfaces.
Pray for the person who hurt you
Jesus told us to "pray for them which despitefully use you" (Luke 6:28). You do not have to feel warm toward them. Asking God to deal with them -- in His justice and mercy -- helps loosen bitterness's grip.
A prayer asking God for forgiveness
Father, I have sinned against You and against others. I will not make excuses. You know exactly what I have done.
Have mercy on me according to Your loving kindness. Wash me clean, and create in me a new heart. Show me how to make things right where I can, and restore to me the joy of belonging to You. Amen.
A prayer when I cannot forgive myself
Lord, I have confessed this to You, but I keep punishing myself for it. The memory follows me everywhere.
You have removed my sin as far as the east is from the west. Help me believe it. Teach me to accept Your forgiveness instead of trying to earn it, and to learn from my mistake without living in it. Amen.
A prayer to forgive someone who hurt me
Lord, You know what they did and how much it hurt. Part of me wants them to pay for it. I do not feel ready to forgive.
But I choose to hand this debt over to You, because vengeance belongs to You and not to me. Heal the wound they left. Protect me where I need protecting, and soften my heart a little more each day. Amen.
A prayer for reconciliation
Father, a relationship I care about has been broken, and I have played my part in it.
Give me humility to apologize sincerely, courage to talk honestly, and wisdom to know whether and how we can rebuild. If reconciliation is possible, make a way. If it is not, give me peace. Amen.
"Create in me a clean heart": Psalm 51 and asking God for forgiveness
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 51:1-2 (KJV)
Psalm 51 is David's prayer after the prophet Nathan confronted him about his adultery with Bathsheba and the death of her husband Uriah (2 Samuel 11-12). It is one of the most honest prayers of repentance ever written -- by a man who had done something truly terrible.
Notice where David begins: not with excuses, but with God's character -- "thy lovingkindness... the multitude of thy tender mercies." He asks for forgiveness because of who God is, not because of anything he can offer.
David asks for more than a clean record. "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). He wants to be changed. And he asks, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation" (Psalm 51:12) -- because guilt had drained his joy, and forgiveness could bring it back.
Forgiveness did not erase every consequence of what David had done; 2 Samuel is honest about that. But his relationship with God was restored. If you are carrying guilt, Psalm 51 shows that no one is beyond God's mercy, and that honest confession is the way home.
Would you like a pastor to pray with you about forgiveness?
Guilt and hurt can both be hard to say out loud. You can start a private voice call or chat and talk about what you have done, or what was done to you. If a pastor is online, you are connected with them; if none is available, an AI prayer companion answers instead.
You might pray together for forgiveness, for freedom from guilt, or for the strength to forgive someone else. This is prayer and spiritual support, not counseling -- if you are dealing with abuse or trauma, a counselor can help alongside prayer.
Bible Verses to Hold On To
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 (KJV)
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12 (KJV)
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 (KJV)
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matthew 6:12 (KJV)
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
Luke 23:34 (KJV)
Common Questions
Does forgiving someone mean I have to trust them again?
No. Forgiveness means releasing your claim to get even and handing justice to God (Romans 12:19). Trust has to be rebuilt over time and may not be wise at all. If someone has abused you, forgiving them never requires you to stay in contact or put yourself in danger.
What if I keep committing the same sin?
Keep confessing and keep coming back -- God's mercy does not run out. Also take practical steps: tell a trusted Christian friend or pastor, remove temptations where you can, and get help if the pattern is an addiction.
Why do I still feel guilty after asking for forgiveness?
Feelings often lag behind truth. God's forgiveness depends on His promise (1 John 1:9), not on how you feel. If guilt keeps returning for something you have already confessed, try praying Psalm 103:12 aloud, and consider talking with a pastor or counselor -- persistent, overwhelming guilt is something they can help with.
Is there a sin God will not forgive?
Jesus spoke of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:29). Many pastors understand this as a settled, lifelong rejection of God -- and point out that someone worried about whether they can be forgiven is clearly not rejecting Him. If this question troubles you, please talk it through with a pastor.
Can someone pray with me about this right now?
Yes. You can start a private voice call or chat on Pray with Christ at any hour, and your first call and chat are free. You are connected with a pastor when one is online, or an AI prayer companion when none is.
If you have been abused, forgiveness never requires you to stay in contact or in danger -- please contact local emergency services or a helpline if you are unsafe. If guilt feels overwhelming or constant, a counselor can help.
If you are in crisis, please contact local emergency services or a crisis hotline right away -- you can find a free helpline in your country. See also our Safety Notice.