The Prayer Before The Prayer Of Forgiveness By Desmond Tutu

This is both a poem and a meditation about the process we go through before we get to forgiveness. The poet expresses the struggle to forgive and brings attention to forgiveness as a process that requires grace. It is a soothing and heart-opening listen. This reading makes a beautiful reflection to use before or after your meditation or yoga practice.

I wanted to share this beautiful, touching piece with you written by Desmond Tutu and his daughter Mpho Tutu in their book called The Book Of Forgiveness. Whether you are ready to forgive or not sure yet, this poem starts your journey toward healing and inner peace from the struggle.

Transcript

The Prayer before the Prayer from the Book of Forgiving by Desmond Tutu and Import Tutu.

I want to be willing to forgive but I dare not ask for the will to forgive.

In case you give it to me and I'm not yet ready.

I'm not yet ready for my heart to soften.

I'm not yet ready to be vulnerable again.

Not yet ready to see that there is humanity in my tormentor's eyes or that the one who hurt me may also have cried.

I'm not yet ready for the journey.

I'm not yet interested in the path.

I am at the prayer before the prayer of forgiveness.

Grant me the will to want to forgive.

Grant it to me,

Not yet but soon.

Can I even form the words?

Forgive me?

Dare I even look?

Do I dare to see the hurt I have caused?

I can glimpse all the shattered pieces of that fragile thing.

That soul trying to rise on the broken wings of hope but only out of the corner of my eye.

I am afraid of it and if I am afraid to see how can I not be afraid to say forgive me?

Is there a place where we can meet?

You and me.

The place in the middle where we straddle the lines.

Where you are right and I am right too.

And both of us are wrong and wronged.

Can we meet there and look for the place where the path begins?

The path that ends when we forgive.