Lifestyle Prayers

Prayers For Everyday Living

Stand Up Against Bullies

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No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. (Eleanor Roosevelt)

It’s not nice to be bullied, nor is it nice to see someone else being mistreated. If you have ever been bullied, then you know what it feels like, and you probably remember the details quite clearly, because it is something that you don’t easily forget.

If you happen to find yourself unable to face your perpetrator, then take time to pray about it. Ask God to provide you with support. Look for trusted friends to speak with, keep yourself within safe boundaries, and give yourself the time to heal and come to complete recovery.

Remember, that you can also become a model for change, by acting on behalf of others, so that freedom can come to those who are being abused, and perpetrators can be brought to justice.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus,

May you encourage individuals who are being abused to stand up against their abusers. Bring them into places of safety for their own protection. Come between them, and their abusers, to reinforce healthy boundaries and remove any spirits of abuse that seek to attack or hinder them.

Call their perpetrators into full accountability. Convict their abusers of their destructive patterns of behavior. Bring them into true repentance, and restrict their ways, until they acknowledge their sin, and seek your forgiveness. Offer them professional help, and as they repent and turn from their wicked ways, show them how to offer forgiveness and restitution to those they have harmed.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, Amen.

Abuse Of Power

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I am surprised by how often I come across people who are abusive, especially those who are in positions of authority.

I guess I continue to hold out hope that they will change their ways, but I also realize that without Jesus of Nazareth in their lives, there is no hope for them.

So I continue to pray for those in particular who are abusive, trusting that the Holy Spirit will bring conviction of sin, and the necessary intervention to protect those who are being abused.

Over the past year, I have been fortunate to see a few people come into greater freedom, as their abusers have been brought into greater accountability, and to see the abuse stop is a wonderful experience for those who have been trying to get their lives back in order.

So, if you are being oppressed by a person in authority, stand up, and speak out against the abuse. Whether you are at work, at home, or even at school, there are harassment policies in place that can help you to report the abuse, and to protect your own identity.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus,

I pray that you would intervene for those individuals who are being oppressed by people in positions of authority. Would you end the enforcement of their abuse, bring measures into place to protect them, and bring their perpetrators into greater accountability. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the freedom that you bring to those who choose to say “no” to being abused, and “yes” to your freedom and healing for their lives. Amen.

When People Mistreat You

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Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. (Matthew 5:11)

Has anyone ever treated you badly, been cruel to you, or treated you unfairly? If so, then here are some suggestions of how you might respond:

1) Turn to God: Take a moment to be silent. Ask Him to help you. Share how you feel with Him. Let Him quiet your heart, and reassure you of His presence. After a few moments, ask God what He wants you to do. Once you hear His voice, then follow His instructions. A child of God always turns to His loving Father for help.

2) Choose to forgive: God has forgiven you of all of your sins through faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, you are called to forgive others, just as God has forgiven you. So, be willing to receive God’s mercy and grace for yourself, and then be ready to dispense it to others, as He directs you.

3) Respond differently: The Holy Spirit can show you how to love when you are hated, reveal joy instead of misery, peace to calm your troubled heart, patience when things are overwhelming, kindness to disperse anger, goodness when you feel bad, faithfulness to remain true, gentleness to soothe your soul, and self-control when maturity is necessary.

4) Express yourself in a safe environment: Connect with a trusted friend, spouse, or counselor to talk about what has happened to you. Find someone who will listen to you, pray for you, and offer their guidance as you need it. Follow-up with this person afterward, so that they know how you are doing.

5) Receive ministry: Ask God to minister into the soul of your being. Let Him heal your heart, give you His peace, and speak kindly to you. Seek His comfort, strength, reassurance, or whatever else you need from Him. He is waiting to meet with you, and to spend time with you because He loves you very much.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

I pray for those who have been mistreated. You know how they feel, and what they have been through. Help them to process their thoughts, seek you directly, and to follow your direction. No weapon formed against them will prosper, and you will cause everything to work together for their good and for your glory.

Thank you for hearing their prayers, and acting on their behalf. Amen.