| Forgiveness is an integral part of the Lord's Prayer. | | | | prayer, "Do not let me be tempted to go back to |
| Survivors of child abuse have a tough time on the | | | | my old ways of surviving, but do deliver me from |
| issue of forgiving. I have struggled with this spiritual | | | | victim-thinking. |
| issue as I learn how to pray, and wish to share with | | | | 3. Forgiveness sometimes takes action even when |
| you some of my thoughts and prayers. You will find | | | | you are terrified. Do you need to take action in order |
| that praying the Lord's Prayer in words from the | | | | to insure your safety? Possible actions include going |
| heart is a blessing. | | | | to the police, calling a hot-line for help, going to a |
| 1. Forgiveness is not forgetting. The impairments we | | | | shelter, and speaking to a social worker. What do |
| live with are real. It takes a life of healing work to | | | | you need? Prayer words, "Guide me to safety and |
| transcend what imprisons us. The memories are with | | | | protect me and all who are dear to me from all |
| us. What happened to us is real. Recently I prayed, | | | | harm." |
| "Help me fully accept my gifts and redeem my | | | | Forgiveness is a spiritual key to healing for survivors, |
| devalued self as I recognize and ask for what I | | | | but forgiving does not require forgetting or remaining |
| need." | | | | in abusive situations. Forgiveness does require taking |
| 2. Forgiveness does not require remaining in or | | | | action even when you are terrified. Do you want to |
| returning to an abusive situation. As adults we have | | | | learn more about beliefs on child abuse and |
| choices and decisions to make in regard to being in | | | | forgiveness? Part 2 in the series will continue with |
| abusive situations. What do you need to do to take | | | | three additional beliefs. |
| good care of yourself (and children)? Fresh words for | | | | |