Healing the Wounds of Trauma

If someone has done you wrong, do not repay him with a wrong. Try to do what everyone considers to be good. Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody. Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God’s anger do it. For the scripture says, “I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord.” Instead, as the scripture says: “If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink; for by doing this you will make them burn with shame.” Do not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good. ❂❂ EXERCISE 1. Personal Forgiveness: Take time alone to think and pray about others you need to forgive. Write these on a piece of paper. 2. Group Forgiveness: In groups, take time to pray and identify other groups you need to forgive. Write them on a piece of paper. 3. Return to the large group. Some people may wish to publicly forgive someone, or some groups may wish to forgive other groups. Don’t force people to forgive, but give them the opportunity to do so. 4. Bring your sin and unforgiveness to the cross Participants should bring the papers on which they wrote their sins and unforgiveness, nail them to the cross or put them in the box at the foot of the cross, and say, “I’m handing over my sins to Jesus who died for me.” When all the papers have been deposited, take them outside and burn them. This symbolizes that our sins are forgiven and that we have forgiven others. 5. Final closing moments If it is acceptable to the group, finish with a communion service where everyone together praises God for his forgiveness and for their oneness in Christ.

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Forgiveness Ceremony