32 “Forgive Me Father” Bible Verses for Repentance and Grace

Jimmy GarciaJimmy Garcia
9 min read

As Christians, the phrase “Forgive me, Father” resonates deeply in our hearts. It echoes the cry of repentance, humility, and the desire for God’s mercy. Throughout the Bible, God calls us to confess our sins and seek forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ. This article presents 32 powerful Bible verses that reflect the plea for forgiveness, each with detailed explanations to help you understand the heart of God’s mercy and grace. Whether you are seeking personal renewal or guiding others in faith, these Scriptures provide hope and direction.

32 “Forgive Me Father” Bible Verses

Forgiveness in Scripture is not only an act of God but also a call to His people to forgive and be forgiven. The phrase “Forgive me, Father” is more than words—it is a spiritual posture of surrender and faith. As we explore each verse, notice the pattern of repentance, confession, God’s mercy, and the promise of restoration.

1. Psalm 51:1-2

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!”

This psalm is David’s heartfelt confession after his sin with Bathsheba. It exemplifies true repentance, asking God for mercy based on His unfailing love. The plea for cleansing underscores God’s power to purify even the deepest sin.

2. Luke 11:4

“And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”

Part of the Lord’s Prayer, this verse reminds believers to ask for forgiveness while also forgiving others. It ties forgiveness to humility and relational harmony, emphasizing that God’s forgiveness is connected to ours.

3. 1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This verse offers assurance that confession leads to forgiveness. God’s faithfulness and justice ensure that when we come honestly before Him, He cleanses us fully.

4. Matthew 6:14-15

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Forgiveness is reciprocal. Jesus teaches that receiving God’s forgiveness requires us to forgive others, highlighting the importance of mercy in Christian life.

5. Psalm 32:5

“I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.”

David shows that honesty with God leads to forgiveness and relief from guilt. This verse is a reminder that hiding sin burdens the soul, but confession brings healing.

6. Mark 11:25

“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Prayer and forgiveness are connected. Jesus instructs that forgiving others is necessary to maintain fellowship with God and receive His forgiveness.

7. Isaiah 1:18

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

This verse reveals God’s willingness to forgive even the worst sins. His offer to cleanse and restore shows the power of repentance and grace.

8. Proverbs 28:13

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”

Confession and turning away from sin bring mercy, while hiding sin leads to spiritual failure. This verse encourages open repentance.

9. Hebrews 8:12

“For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

God promises complete forgiveness through the new covenant. When God forgives, He chooses not to hold sins against us, a powerful comfort for believers.

10. Psalm 103:12

“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”

This poetic image illustrates the total removal of sin through God’s forgiveness, emphasizing His mercy and grace.

11. Micah 7:18-19

“Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”

God’s forgiveness is uniquely compassionate and permanent. This passage shows His delight in mercy rather than punishment.

12. Acts 3:19

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”

Repentance leads to the blotting out of sins, signaling God’s readiness to forgive and restore those who turn to Him.

13. 2 Chronicles 7:14

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

God promises forgiveness and healing when His people repent sincerely and seek Him.

14. Romans 4:7-8

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

Paul quotes David to show that forgiveness brings blessedness and freedom from guilt before God.

15. Psalm 130:3-4

“If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.”

God’s forgiveness is essential because no one can stand if every sin were held against them. Forgiveness leads to reverence, not presumption.

16. John 20:23

“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Jesus gives authority to His disciples to forgive sins in His name, highlighting the power of forgiveness in the early church and for believers today.

17. Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Forgiveness is a reflection of God’s grace. Believers are called to forgive others as a testimony of Christ’s forgiveness in their lives.

18. Colossians 3:13

“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

Forgiveness maintains unity and peace among believers. It mirrors God’s forgiveness and is essential for Christian community.

19. Matthew 18:21-22

“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”

Jesus teaches unlimited forgiveness, emphasizing that forgiveness is not a one-time act but a continual choice.

20. Psalm 86:5

“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.”

God’s character is defined by goodness and forgiveness, inviting all who seek Him to receive mercy.

21. Nehemiah 9:17

“They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.”

This verse acknowledges human rebellion but highlights God’s readiness to forgive and His enduring mercy.

22. Jeremiah 31:34

“For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

God’s promise in the new covenant is complete forgiveness and forgetfulness of sin, a foundation for Christian hope.

23. Luke 23:34

“And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'”

From the cross, Jesus models perfect forgiveness, asking the Father to forgive even those who crucified Him, showing the heart of divine mercy.

24. Psalm 25:11

“For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.”

David appeals to God’s name and character as a basis for forgiveness, recognizing the seriousness of his sin but trusting God’s mercy.

25. 1 Timothy 1:15-16

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”

Paul’s testimony shows that no one is beyond God’s mercy and forgiveness, demonstrating grace as a model for others.

26. James 5:16

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

Confession among believers leads to spiritual healing and demonstrates the power of prayer in the forgiveness process.

27. Romans 8:1

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Through Christ, believers are freed from condemnation, illustrating the complete forgiveness and new standing before God.

28. Psalm 86:15

“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

This verse captures God’s compassionate nature, assuring us that His forgiveness is rooted in steadfast love.

29. Isaiah 55:7

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

God invites sinners to turn from their ways with the promise of abundant pardon and compassion.

30. 2 Corinthians 5:18

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

God’s forgiveness restores our relationship with Him and empowers us to reconcile with others, extending forgiveness.

31. John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This reminder of God’s faithfulness underscores the certainty of forgiveness when we confess honestly.

32. Philippians 3:13-14

“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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Forgiveness leads to freedom from past guilt and empowers believers to press forward in their spiritual journey.

Conclusion

The 32 “Forgive me Father” Bible verses show us the depth of God’s mercy and the importance of repentance. Through confession and faith in Christ, forgiveness is assured, bringing restoration, peace, and renewed purpose. Forgiveness is not only about receiving mercy from God but also about extending grace to others, reflecting Christ’s love.

For those seeking to grow in understanding and application of these truths, resources like Bible Guides and Free Bible Study offer invaluable help for personal or group study.

May this collection encourage you to come boldly before God, saying, “Forgive me, Father,” and walk in the freedom that only His grace provides.

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Jimmy Garcia
Jimmy Garcia

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