If you are wondering how to pray for someone who hates you, you are probably feeling a bit down because there is someone out there who thinks less than kind thoughts about you. So, how do you handle hatred and mistreatment from others?
How do you pray for someone who hates you or doesn’t treat you well? It can be a difficult task because you probably feel some animosity toward them, as well.
What do you say to God about this person that dislikes you so much that it is bothering you?
These are all great and valid questions and thoughts.
Personally, I tend to have an avoidant personality with people that do not bring me joy. Steering clear of them usually makes my life easier and more enjoyable, but is it the right way to live? You can’t avoid people forever!
So, if you can’t use my “clever” avoidant strategy in your circumstance, what can you do?
Tips and tricks will only get you so far. Here’s a novel idea: Pray for them!
Lift them up to God in prayer, as the Lord Almighty is the only One who can make a difference in their hearts!
I will praise You as long as I live, lifting up my hands to You in prayer. – Psalm 63:4 (NLT)
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My Personal Experience with Hatred
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been around a lot of girls who hated me. Now, I never found out the true reason for the hatred, but it was obvious that they loathed me.
This happened to me when I became the supervisor of several accounting clerks, people who had worked at the company longer than me and who had far more experience than I did.
My role was to review and correct their work, which didn’t exactly go over well.
These women did not take kindly to being corrected on the work they did, and their reactions were rather shocking, in my opinion!
They chose to react by throwing batches of paper at me, hurling highlighters, and tossing other office supplies at my head!
It became a hostile environment, but I learned that since everyone in the company had a Type A personality, they thought it was normal behavior, and no repercussions were ever enforced despite my complaints.
So, what would you do if you were in my shoes? Would you quit your job if the HR department allowed this type of behavior to take place? How would you feel if someone disliked you to the point of hatred?
Keep in mind that these were only the actions I saw and experienced! The role of gossip among the ladies is a story for another day!
At the end of the day, I chose to accept this behavior as part of my job and kept a little shield with me (kidding) in the event one of the ladies was headed toward my office!
Related: How to Deal with Gossip (Real Applications)
Why Pray for Someone Who Hates You?
First of all, God answers prayers. If you do not pray for those who hate you, you are not turning the problem over to God. You are instead expecting the world to give you the answer to your problem. Nourish your relationship with God through prayer!
Remember that you may not get the answer you expect from Him, but God responds in the right way. We may not understand the response we get, but we need to trust Him.
One reason to pray for difficult people is that it is a challenge that has the power to teach us lessons we need to know about patience and endurance, which builds character.
Another important reason to pray is that we don’t have all the answers; only God does. He often allows us to go through problems like this because it makes us stronger. He does it to benefit us! Praying will give you strength in your relationship with the Lord and in life, in general.
Also, as you struggle in dealing with someone who hates you, you may start to wonder if you are partly at fault. Often, when someone doesn’t care for us, we have inadvertently done something to hurt them. Praying gives us a chance to ask for forgiveness for the known and unknown of the situation.
Another reason to pray is that it can give you peace and comfort. If you turn your worries and concerns over to God, you can let go of them. You will still have someone out there who doesn’t like you, but you will know you have done all you can for the circumstances.
Finally, prayer can also lead to guidance. Often, we are unsure as to what decision to make, how to react to a certain person, or what to say next. The Lord is a fabulous leader if you let Him be. Place Him in the driver’s seat of your problems and watch what He does in your life!
Related: The Real Life-Changing Benefits of Prayer
How to Pray for Someone Who Hates You
The hurtful remarks and actions of others can bring tears to our eyes as we struggle to understand why someone doesn’t like us! This can cause negativity to fester inside of us!
Be Prepared for Prayer
Before saying any prayer, clear your own heart. Make sure your motives are pure in praying for this person.
You may be feeling a lot of pain because of the slander, gossip, manipulation, or even just conflict in general that this person is causing you to experience. Try to have a Christ-like love for this individual as you begin to pray. You need to have a pure heart.
As you learn how to pray for someone who has hurt you and maybe caused you many trials in life, remember God’s love is for everyone. He doesn’t like to see His children in pain or conflict.
Consider the fact that His heart may be breaking as well as yours. This may change your perspective a bit as you pray for this person.
As you prepare yourself for prayer, you may feel uncomfortable, thinking that this person is undeserving of your sympathy. However, if this is weighing heavily on your heart and soul, you need to pray for this individual and the hate in their heart.
You will feel much more blessed if you do what’s right and pray for someone who hates you!
Listen to God
Also, be aware and stay open to whatever God puts in your heart to do! If you need to pray about a broken heart, an act of reconciliation, the rejection you are feeling, or help with the lies that are being spread about you, go for it!
We don’t always find our calling or mission to be easy, but if He wills us to go one way, it’s our job to head in that direction!
What to Say in Prayer for Someone Who Hates You
While there will be plenty of example prayers for haters in this article, it’s always best to put prayers in your own words.
Personalize these prayers; create your own original prayer to speak to God in a natural way! Remember: He is our Father and longs to hear from us!
Remember, too, that God loves this person, so use God’s words to reach them in prayer through the Holy Spirit. Your desire to listen to God’s response in this matter will provide you with peace.
Honestly, I don’t know how I would have gotten through many of the things I’ve dealt with without prayer. So, what can you say to God as His beloved child?
Pray for those who persecute you, and you will feel better about the situation. Praying to Your Father God will give you a moment or more of healing and hope when you are angry or frustrated.
Your love for Jesus will also shine through by the fact that you do not respond harshly to the haters, but instead, you lift them up in prayer!
If you don’t know what to say, here are a few suggestions.
Prayers for Forgiveness
Dear Lord, I don’t know what I’ve done to this person to receive hatred, but if there is any wrongdoing on my part, please forgive me. In Your Name, Amen.
God, I ask for forgiveness for anything I have done to provoke anger from this person. Please help me to know the right things to do and say as I tackle this problem. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
Prayers for Haters
Dear Heavenly Father, I know you are watching over my situation, as Your Hand is in everything. Please guide me as I am trying to love someone who seems unlovable in my eyes. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Lord, I need your intervention. I am required to interact with someone who I find very difficult to love. Please guide my actions and lead me to treat them the way You would have me treat them. In Your Name, Amen.
Prayers for Dealing with Difficult People
God, I see that this person is a child of Yours, and You love them as much as You love me! Please remind me of this fact when I struggle to deal with their negative attitudes! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Dear Lord, my heart is breaking for this individual, as I find them so very difficult to deal with. Help me to love them as You love me and as I love You. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.
Prayers for the Salvation of a Hater
Lord, I realize that this individual is acting unkindly, but I am concerned for their salvation. Please remove any hatred from their heart and remind them they are Your loved child. In Your Name, Amen.
Dear God, I am worried about the lies, gossip, and deceit this person is participating in on my behalf. Please enter their heart and help them to become an obedient child of Yours. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
More Prayers for Someone Who Hates You
Lord, If it is Your plan for this person to be removed from my life, please help me to handle it in a Christian way. Help me to emulate You in my actions and words. In Your Name, Amen.
Dear Lord, I am trying my best to deal with this individual, but I feel frustrated and overwhelmed. Please wash comfort and peace over me, and bless my life as only You can! In Your Name, Amen.
Bible Verses About Dealing with Difficult People
Meditating on scripture is a great way to deal with a difficult person! If you are having thoughts of retaliation or having a difficult time knowing what to say in a prayer, consider reading the Bible aloud. Let the words of the Bible do the talking for you!
See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. – 1 Thes. 5:15 (ESV)
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. – Eph. 4:2 (NLT)
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. – Luke 6:35 (ESV)
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. – John 15:12 (NLT)
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. – Romans 12:18 (ESV)
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. – Luke 6:27-31 (NKJV)
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. – 1 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
Related: How to Pray for Your Husband with 51 Powerful Prayers
More Resources for Praying for Someone Who Hates You
Recommended Books About Prayers
- How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People by Pete Greig – The author is excited to help readers learn how to have a real conversation with God, teaching people how to start praying, keeping it simple, asking God for things, coping with unanswered prayers, praying without words, and hearing God!
- 7 Ways to Pray: Time-Tested Practices for Encountering God by Amy Boucher Pye (2021) – With prayer exercises and real-life examples, this sourcebook brings prayer practices to life, so you can take action and grow your faith! This book has a hands-on approach to helping you transform your life and relationship with God.
- The Power of a PrayingⓇ Woman by Stormie Omartian – This bestseller has sold more than 28 million copies and is perfect if you want the power of prayer to transform your life! With illustrations, heartfelt prayers, and Bible verses, this book will help you trust God and find hope and purpose for your life as you learn to pray!
Related: How to Build a Bible Library with Bible Reference Books
Recommended Prayer Journals
- My Prayer Journal by Christian Art Gifts – My husband purchased this 120-day prayer journal for me for my birthday, and it’s just beautiful! It guides you through the steps you need to know how to pray to God with a prayer journal. Just perfect!
- Daily Prayer Journal by Sharing Life and Love – This FREE daily prayer journal is great if you enjoy using a prayer journal page with a little guidance.
- The Prayer Map for Women (Faith Maps) – This is another prayer journal I received as a gift. It’s been used extensively because it helps you map out your prayer with clear guidance on what to say to God when praying. Highly recommended!
- The Prayer Journal Planner by Sharing Life and Love – This beautiful prayer journal is 10-pages long and has just about everything you could need in a prayer journal – a schedule, room for people to pray for, questions to guide you as you pray, and much more!
Related: How to Use a Prayer Journal (A Beginner’s Guide)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pray for someone who mistreats you?
Depending on the circumstances, you may need to involve the authorities. Create a safety plan or contact 1-800-799-SAFE. If you are not in physical danger, pray that God changes your circumstances and the heart of the person hurting you. Ask for strength and courage to get through any situation!
Is it a sin to pray against your enemies?
It’s never a sin to pray! God encourages prayer about everything that we think or feel because we are His children, and He wants us to turn to him. In the Psalms, we see David praying over and over again to be rescued against his enemies, so this is not an uncommon prayer.
How do you pray for a soft heart?
For you, ask that God remove any hatred that has entered your heart and mind. For someone else, ask that God bless this person so that the harsh feelings that they are feeling will dissipate. Pray for understanding, kindness, and a softened heart for this person.
How do you pray for a difficult boss?
Ask God to please enter the heart of this individual, giving them peace and patience over whatever situation is making it hard for him or her to be soft. Also, ask God to help you be understanding and patient as you try to perform your job to the best of your ability. Consider praying for happiness, love, and joy to enter this person’s life.
What is a good prayer for healing?
Lord, I ask that You please heal the broken parts in this person’s life in only the ways that You can. Give them strength and courage to battle their problems and bless their lives with peace, comfort, and healing. Show them Your amazing mercy and grace. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
Conclusion
If you wanted to know how to pray for someone who hates you, you now have plenty of examples, reasons to do so, and ways to respond to such a person.
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But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. – Matthew 5:44-45 (NKJV)
