A Prayer for Strength to Make Amends

Lord, getting sober showed me the wreckage I left behind, and now I have to face the people I hurt. There are calls I am dreading and apologies I am not sure will be accepted. My stomach turns just thinking of looking them in the eye.

I confess the lies, the broken promises, the trust I spent like it was mine to waste. I cannot undo any of it. I can only own it now, honestly, without excuses.

So I turn to You for the courage I do not have on my own. Give me the words. Help me name the harm plainly, without minimizing it or demanding forgiveness in return. Let me make it right where I can, and bear it with grace where I cannot.

Guard my motives, that I do this to heal and not to ease my own guilt. And prepare the hearts of those I approach, however they choose to respond.

Your word says if I am offering my gift and remember a brother has something against me, I should first go and be reconciled. So I go.

I surrender my pride and my fear of their anger. Walk in front of me into every hard conversation. Help me become someone whose word can be trusted again. Amen.