What Is the Ho’oponopono Prayer and How It’s Helped Me with Forgiveness

I first learned about the Ho’oponopono prayer during a class on forgiveness. Our instructor asked us to spend the week either saying the prayer aloud or writing it down daily. She told the story of a therapist who worked in a prison and recited the prayer while reviewing inmates’ files. He never said it to them directly, he simply repeated the prayer over their records. Over time, the inmates reportedly began healing and were released early. That story stuck with me.

✨ “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.” ✨

Four sentences. That’s it? Could they really make that much of a positive impact?

I wanted my gold star for class, but I was also deeply intrigued by this forgiveness practice. I was eager to get out there and give it a try.

At first, I repeated the words without thinking about anyone or anything in particular. I just said it. And even without a specific focus, I noticed I felt a little lighter. Then I started applying it intentionally…choosing people or memories that still held a charge. Sometimes, I’d hit a wall of anger, shame, or guilt so intense I’d stop mid-prayer. But I eventually realized: those moments were gold. The trigger was the doorway. I was moving closer to the truth that this wasn't about them, whoa, it was about me.

That realization cracked me open. When that visceral wave of emotion came, it was often followed by a flood of compassion, for myself and for the other person.

Before I go further, I want to acknowledge something important. I’ve spoken with a friend who has Native Hawaiian roots about the use of the Ho’oponopono prayer outside of Hawaiian culture. She shared that while it's often referred to as a “Hawaiian prayer,” it's more respectful to simply call it a forgiveness prayer when using it in a broader or non-cultural context. Her take? Use it freely for forgiveness work, but with reverence and understanding.

To me, forgiveness is everything. It is the miracle, the atonement, the healing. Many words to define one sacred process. And it's not always a quick one. It's a journey through layers of emotion to arrive at something softer, truer, and more whole. In that way, I believe forgiveness is one of the most beautiful and embodied paths to compassion we have.