- Ask the Holy Spirit to show you who you need to forgive, (family, friend, abuser, myself)
- Picture the person in front of you and pay attention to what you feel.
- Make an account of the debt the person owes you. What did he or she take from you; how did the person hurt you? It is okay to feel angry.
- Imagine yourself telling the person what he or she did to hurt you and how it has affected you.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what you believe about yourself based on that incident. (identity lie)
- Renounce the identity lie. (example: “In the name of Jesus Christ, I renounce the lie that I am not loved or cared for, or I am worthless, or the abuse was my fault, etc…”)
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the judgements you hold toward the person who has hurt you.
- Renounce the judgements. “Father, I acknowledge that I have judged _(name of person)___. I realize that I did this to protect myself from the feelings of vulnerability and powerlessness in order not to be hurt. I also realize that this judgement is sin and keeps me bound. I ask You now for Your forgiveness and to release me and (the person judged) from the bondage of this condemnation and isolation. In the name of Jesus Christ, I renounce the judgement of (the person judged) that (identify specific judgements). I know I cannot change my own heart so I ask You to give me Your Heart of compassion for (the person judged). Amen”
- Ask Jesus to forgive the person.
- Forgive the person.
- Pray a prayer of blessing for that person; ask God to bless him/her in the opposite way that he/she has hurt you.
- Ask Jesus to seal this forgiveness and to heal the wounds.
- Thank God for His healing.
If and inner vows or ungodly self-reliance has surfaced such. As “I am never going to be like my dad/mom.” “I am never going to do that to my kids,” etc., then pray the following prayer.
Prayer for Renouncing Inner Vows
“Father, I acknowledge that I have tried to save myself rather than rely upon You for my salvation. Please forgive me for my sin of pride and self-sufficiency. I acknowledge that my effort to protect myself has left me imprisoned behind walls that keep me from freely giving and receiving love. I desire to be free of this bondage that has come as a result of my own choices. In the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, I renounce the vow that. (details of nine vow).
I ask you to release me from the bondage of this vow now. Thank You! Amen.”