Lyrics
I pray for the boy who broke my heart
And I’ll be honest, some days it’s still hard
I pray that he’s good, that he’s alright
That he got the job he wanted
And his family’s doing fine
Though it took some time…
Instead of cursing his memory and screaming his name
I’m wishing him well, hoping he’s okay
Thanking God for the lessons that I learned
Instead of crying all night and numbing the pain
I’ve forgiven him now, I’m giving him grace
It’s from my knees I see I’ve come so far
Oh, I know I started healing
When I started praying
For the boy who broke my heart
God knows I was bitter
I thought I’d always be
Counting up the sorry’s owed
For all the damage he left me
It turns out all those broken pieces
Got me talking more to Jesus
To find the grudge I held did nothing else
But keep on hurting me
Oh, the weight of hate I laid it down
Wasn’t easy but I see it now
Finding some forgiveness
Set me free somehow
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“For The Boy” traces forgiveness as a difficult spiritual practice rather than an instant feeling. The lyric begins with prayer for someone associated with lasting hurt, then contrasts bitterness and resentment with grace. Its emotional movement is specific: memories still ache, yet prayer changes the response to them. Wishing the former partner well becomes evidence that healing has begun, even before every painful consequence has disappeared.
The song also recognizes the cost of holding a grudge. Anger keeps the injury active, while bringing that anger to Jesus opens a path toward freedom. This treatment of forgiveness does not excuse the damage or deny the struggle; it shows mercy replacing the demand to keep counting what is owed. The closing image of laying down the weight of hate connects release with spiritual restoration. In that way, the song frames prayer as an honest place where wounded memory can gradually give way to grace.
Related Scripture
- Matthew 5:44 Jesus teaches prayer for those who have caused hurt.
- Ephesians 4:31-32 Paul contrasts bitterness with kindness and forgiveness.
- Colossians 3:13 Believers are instructed to forgive grievances as the Lord forgave them.