Inspired by J. Everett Irion

The 40-Day Forgiveness Prayer downloadable version (PDF).

Say this prayer for 40 days without interruption. Start over if you miss a day. You will be speaking to the other person’s Higher Self or higher consciousness and to your own Higher Self or higher consciousness. It is not necessary that the other person still be living; it is still effective; and remember, you are praying to the Higher Selves. 

“____________ (person’s name), I am praying to you. Thank you, ________, for doing to me all that you have done. Forgive me, ___________, for doing all that I have done to you.

“____________ (your name), I am praying to you. Thank you, ____________, for doing to me all that you have done. Forgive me, ___________, for doing all that I have done to you.”

Forgiveness Exercise

Step 1 – Take a forgiveness inventory
On a piece of paper, write down the name of a person who comes to mind who has angered, hurt, disappointed, or irritated you. It could even be your own name. This is okay.

Step 2 – Release and forgive
Bring the face of the person to mind and say to that person, “I forgive you, and I release you. I hold no unforgiveness back. My forgiveness for you is total. I am free, and you are free.”

Step 3 – Take a forgiveness inventory on a regular basis and release and forgive
Check regularly to see if, consciously or unconsciously, who is on your list. Release and forgive them in the same way.

Some Pointers

• After doing the prayer each day, put it out of your mind so that the prayer can do its work undisturbed by your wishes and expectations. The best thing is not to expect any results, as the prayer will do its work only if it is free from the anxiety of the person doing the praying.
• Don’t tell the person to whom you are praying. Talking about it disrupts the operation of the unconscious at a very deep level.
• Keep track of the 40 days on a calendar. If you forget and miss a day, start at the beginning of the 40-day cycle again.
• In a crisis, the prayer can be used over a shorter period of time. Instead of 40 days, use 40 hours or 40 minutes, repeating the prayer accordingly.
• If you need help in diverting attention from the prayer and any possible results, try saying, “Thank you, Father,” as often as necessary. This can be said hundreds of times a day if you like.