Last Updated on October 19, 2023 by Emma
The past can be a heavy burden to carry. It can weigh you down and prevent you from living your life to the fullest. But God can help you to let go of the past and focus on the present.
One way to pray to let go of the past is to acknowledge your feelings. It’s okay to feel sad, angry, or hurt about things that have happened to you in the past. But don’t let these feelings control you. Instead, bring them to God in prayer.
You can also pray for forgiveness. If you’ve been hurt by someone, ask God to help you to forgive them. And if you’ve hurt someone else, ask God to help you to ask for their forgiveness.
Prayer can also help you to focus on the present. When you pray, take some time to think about all the good things that you have in your life right now. Thank God for these blessings and ask him to help you to appreciate the present moment.
“I have not forgotten you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands” ( Isaiah 49.16, NIV).
As the prophet Isaiah reminds us, God knows you and every aspect of your life. You are not unknown to God. You are seen and valued. Remember, God is with you and he will help you to overcome whatever you’re facing.
As you pray to let go of the past, it is natural then to focus on living in the present moment. I’d like to offer a few points for you to consider and think about in the days ahead.
Prayer can help you to focus on God’s goodness and love. When you focus on God’s love, it can be easier to let go of negative thoughts and emotions from the past.
Prayer can help you to find peace and hope. When you pray, you can ask God to give you peace and hope for the future. This can help you to let go of the past and to focus on the present moment.
Prayer can help you to forgive others and yourself. When you forgive others, you can release yourself from the burden of anger and resentment. When you forgive yourself, you can accept yourself for who you are and move on from the past.
If you’re struggling to let go of the past for some serious things, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. A counselor or therapist can provide you with support and guidance as you work through your pain. And of course, you can always pray to God for help and healing, using these prayers or your own.
But right now, let’s get to the prayers!
Short Prayer For Letting Go Of The Past
Dear Lord, I need your help to let go of my past. I feel like it is holding me back from enjoying the present, or even thinking about the future. I don’t know how to do that so please guide me to someone who can assist me in the steps I need to take. I know I can trust you to get me through all of this through your love. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Prayer To Let Go After A Divorce
Dear God, I’m struggling to let go of my divorce. I’m still hurt and angry, and I’m finding it hard to move on.
Please help me to forgive my ex-spouse. Help me to see that they are not perfect, and that they made mistakes just like I did. Help me to let go of the past in a healthy way. Help me to focus on the present and to look forward to the future, living in your grace.
I know I don’t want to stay stuck in the past, so hear my prayer through Jesus, Amen.
Prayer To Move On From The Past After Graduation
Dear God in Heaven, I’m graduating from college soon, and I’m feeling a lot of mixed emotions. I’m excited for the future, but I’m also sad to leave behind my friends and professors.
I’m also feeling a little bit lost. I’m not sure what I want to do with my life, and I’m worried about making the wrong choices.
Please help me to let go of the past. Help me to appreciate the memories I’ve made, but also to let them go so that I can focus on the future that you have for me. I want what I’ve experienced to propel me forward, not hold me back.
I know that you have a plan for my life, and I trust that you will help me to find my way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer To Let Go Of Past Hurts
Father God, I am grateful I can pray to you about anything. I’ve been hurt by people in the past, and I’m finding it hard to let go of the pain. I’m angry and resentful, often times I feel defeated and I’m afraid to trust anyone again.
Please help me to forgive the people who have hurt me. Help me to see that they are not perfect, and that they made mistakes just like I did. I know I need to release these past hurts, but I don’t know how to fully, so guide me to be fully free.
I trust that you will help me to find healing and peace. In the healing name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Prayer To Move On From Being Laid Off
Lord God, I am feeling overwhelmed. I was recently laid off from my job, and I’m feeling lost and uncertain, like I’m not centered or connected. I’m worried about how I’m going to pay my bills, and I’m not sure what I’m going to do next.
I need to understand that my last job was a part of your plan, and that you have something even better in store for me. Help me to find a new job that I love and can look forward to. Even as I am praying I am feeling more confident because I know you are at work to help me. I pray all of this in the name of my Provider, Lord Jesus, Amen.
Prayer To Let Go Of Past Regrets
God, I made some mistakes that I wish I could take back, and I’m beating myself up about them. I’m struggling with past regrets and they are piling up in my thoughts. It’s a burden I can’t carry.
Please help me to forgive myself. I need your help me to realize that I’m human, and that I’m allowed to make mistakes. Hopefully, I can learn from them, but I don’t want my mistakes to rule my life anymore.
Help me to let go of the past. Help me to focus on the present and to look forward to the future.
I ask for you to help me to find peace and redemption through releasing my regrets, turning from the past, and looking ahead to the future. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Prayer To Let Go Of A Missed Opportunity
Dear God, I am just now coming to grips with the fact that I missed out on an opportunity that I really wanted, and I’m feeling disappointed and discouraged. It could have made such a difference in my life right now.
Please help me to let go of the past. I need to be able to think clearly and be able to see that there are other opportunities out there, and that I can still achieve my goals. It just may be in a different way, and in a different time span than I had thought.
I believe I can trust you to direct me along the path so I can find and achieve the success I need for what’s going on in my life. Help to move on from the missed opportunity and be attentive to the next one that’s coming. In Christ’s name, I pray this prayer, Amen.
Consider This
It can be a challenge to let go of the past, especially when you’ve been hurt in the past by someone else. It feels like it’s easier to nurse that grudge, to hold on to that hurt, instead of going through the process of letting it all go and moving on into a hopeful future.
Let these seven confident prayers for letting go of the past be of help to you. Know that through Christ, your past is covered, and your future is secure.
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” ( Philippians 3.13-14, NIV).
Each of these prayers focuses on a certain aspect of letting go of something in the past. You are encouraged to modify the wording of any prayer so that it fits your specific circumstances. The prayers here are a jumping off point to help you grow closer to God through prayer.
You could also benefit from looking at prayers for letting go of control, or also prayers for a better tomorrow. I’d encourage you to bookmark this site, or save as one of your favorites, so you can come back often and grow in your prayer relationship with God. There are hundreds of prayers here to help you.
We’d love to hear about what God has done through your prayers. Please share your comments and story in the comments section at the end of this article.