The Prayer Before The Prayer

This is a poem from the Book of Forgiving by Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu
Sound by Tim Doody

The healing power of forgiveness involves confronting our shadow, both individually and collectively. To truly forgive, we must be willing to look inward, diving deep into our psyche to recognize the parts of ourselves that are wounded. These wounds are often mirrored by those who have hurt us, allowing us to see where our own responsibilities lie.
To forgive another, we must first examine ourselves and take the necessary steps toward healing. This includes acknowledging our own wrongdoings and opening ourselves up to fully loving who we are.

Transcript

The prayer before the prayer 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 am not yet ready I am not yet ready for my heart to soften I am 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 am not yet ready for the journey I am 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 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