An Absent Parent: 6 Scriptures to Help Your Child Forgive
There’s nothing quite like watching your child suffer, especially at the hands of a parent who’s not around. The missed baseball games. The empty seat at the school play. The months or years of silence. Those lost moments can cause lifelong heartache unless there is forgiveness.
Here are six scriptures to help you guide your child toward forgiveness, an understanding of God’s love, and the peace that Jesus provides.
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Mark 11:25: “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
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Matthew 18:21-22: “Then Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!’”
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Colossians 3:13: “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
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John 13:34: “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”
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Psalm 68:4-5: “Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the Lord—rejoice in his presence! Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is God, whose dwelling is holy.”
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Luke 6:27: “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”
Stand with your child as he or she learns to walk in forgiveness. Confess and pray these scriptures over the parent who is absent. And be sure to read the article, “Helping My Child Forgive,” for more help.