For these days of Holy Week, pray through the seven last words of Jesus. We begin with Luke 23:34 — “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Take time in prayer to seek a spirit of forgiveness toward someone you begrudge, someone who irritates every pet peeve you have, someone whose injury against you has changed from a wound to a rock that weighs you down in anger.
Peace to you, child of God, and
peace to me — though we disagree.
With forgiveness in each sigh,
I am setting down the stone
that you have cast at me
(and I have held too long);
indeed, I am letting it roll away.
By God’s grace, from now on I will
pick up only the waters of peace.