A Prayer For Healing From Adultery
“I want to forgive you, but I’m just so angry when I think about what you’ve done to me and our family. But you’ve seen to at least forgiven yourself. Can you tell me how you were able to do that, so maybe I won’t struggle so much in forgiving you.”
These were the sobering words my ex-wife (of 16 years) spoke to me after I she discovered I had committed adultery several times in our marriage. As hard as it is to put those words on paper, it was even harder seeking forgiveness from God and extending that same forgiveness to myself.
Let’s face it, adultery is one of the most painful and destructive sins any Christian can commit, leaving a trail of broken trust, guilt, and shame in its wake. For those who have fallen into this temptation, the weight of the betrayal—both to your spouse and to God—can feel unbearable.
Yet, the beauty of God’s grace is that no sin is too great for His forgiveness; His mercy is abundant for those who humbly seek it.
Forgiveness For Adultery Is Also An Inside Job. And Not An Easy One.
Admittingly, forgiving myself was the hardest part of the forgiveness process, and as my ex-wife and I learned to co-parent our son, I knew I couldn’t be effective as a dad, let alone as a man, if I couldn’t learn to accept God’s forgiveness and forgive myself.
So, when my ex-wife asked me how I was able to do it, I simply told her what God revealed to me in my quiet time (i.e., alone time) with Him.
He simply told me:
I couldn’t hate myself more than He loved me, so it was pointless for me to keep trying. And
There was nothing I had done to my ex-wife that His Son didn’t die for; so again, not forgiving myself for what Jesus died for was pointless.
Fully accepting these two truths set me free from continuing to live in bondage to self-pity, guilt, shame, depression, and self-condemnation.
So, when it comes to forgiving yourself, I hope the words God spoke to me then will help you accept God’s gift of forgiveness now.
How To Pray For Forgiveness of Adultery
Just in case you’re still struggling, I’d like to offer up a personal prayer you can use to not only seek God’s forgiveness, but more so that you can begin to heal from the pain and misery that usually lingers in the aftermath of adultery.
Do what you need to do…read it, speak it out loud, meditate on it, or if necessary, re-write it in your own words and repeat it to yourself as many times as you need until it becomes part of your daily thinking, and it begins to comfort you like a warm winter’s coat.
Here’s the prayer:
“Lord, You made us one when we became husband and wife. You made us one in body and spirit, and You intended for us to have godly children.
I’ve dishonored your daughter; and now we’re no longer equal partners of life, and our prayers have been disturbed.
The rejection and betrayal I’ve caused is very painful. Father, forgive me for speaking our marriage vows so casually and without understanding. I have covered Your altar with tears of regret, guilt, shame, and condemnation, because I’ve allowed my prayers to You to be hindered.
You witnessed the vows we made to each other on our wedding day when we were young; and now I’ve broken our marriage vows and emotionally, physically, and spiritually abandoned your daughter.
Father, I can’t expect my wife to ignore my careless and reckless behavior and become a partaker of my evil and wicked actions. Jesus was wounded for my transgressions, and he was bruised for my iniquities; the chastisement of my peace was upon Him, and by His stripes I am healed and redeemed.
I ask You to forgive my adultery, my betrayal, and my failures concerning my marriage. Help me learn and grow spiritually and eventually receive emotional wholeness, as I grow more intimately acquainted with You.
Father, help my wife to find the grace and mercy to forgive my infidelity. I know You hate divorce, but You allow it when a spouse is unfaithful. You know my heart and the decisions I will make concerning my future, and I am responsible to You, my wife, and our children.
I have behaved as an unbeliever in this situation, and if my wife desires to go, give me the grace to let her go without inflicting even more pain on her than I have. Lord, I trust in You with all of my heart and lean not unto my own understanding. In all of my ways I acknowledge You, because you direct my path.
Father, You promised to never leave me, abandon me, or leave me without support. I know that the preparations of the heart belong to man, but I desire the wise answer of the tongue that comes from You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
Deliverance From Adultery Is Achieved Through Connecting To God's Grace
Seeking forgiveness after committing adultery is a humbling journey, but it is also one that leads to hope and restoration. Through heartfelt prayer, genuine repentance, and a commitment to turn away from sin, you can experience the transformative power of God’s grace.
Remember, God’s love is unfailing, and His mercy is new every morning. While the road to healing may be long, trust that God is walking with you every step of the way. As you surrender your heart to Him, He will not only forgive you, but also equip you to rebuild trust, mend relationships, and live in alignment with His will. Take courage—your story isn’t over, and God is ready to write a new chapter of redemption and grace in your life.
Are you struggling on your Christian marriage, filled with guilt over adultery or are even separated from your wife? I can help. Book a FREE BREAKTHROUGH CALL and let's talk about how myself and my Real Men 300 team can support you.