How to pray for those who slander us?
How can we pray for those who "speak evil" against us?

Key Verse for Our Focus

“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” — Luke 6:28


Why Pray for Those Who Speak Evil?

• Obedience: The command comes straight from the lips of Jesus (Luke 6:27-28).

• Witness: Responding with prayer instead of retaliation “overcomes evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

• Freedom: Refusing bitterness guards the heart (Proverbs 4:23) and keeps our conscience clear (1 Peter 3:16).

• Imitation of Christ: On the cross He prayed, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34).


Heart Posture Required

• Humility—remembering that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23).

• Dependence on the Spirit—“apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

• Readiness to bless, not curse—“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).


Practical Steps to Pray

1. Pause and acknowledge the hurt before God (Psalm 62:8).

2. Surrender personal vengeance—“‘Vengeance is Mine,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

3. Name the person specifically in prayer.

4. Ask the Spirit to align your attitude with Christ’s love (Galatians 5:22-23).

5. Pray Scripture over the situation (see next section).

6. Conclude by affirming trust in God’s justice and goodness (Psalm 37:5-6).


What to Pray Specifically

• Salvation and spiritual awakening—1 Timothy 2:4.

• Conviction of sin and repentance—John 16:8.

• Blessing that leads them to glorify God—Romans 2:4.

• Wisdom for yourself to respond graciously—Colossians 4:6.

• Healing of any relational breach—Matthew 5:23-24.

• Protection from the enemy’s schemes for both of you—Ephesians 6:12-18.


Promises to Remember

• “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry” (Psalm 34:15).

• “The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail” (James 5:16).

• “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

• “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).


Living Out the Prayer

• Speak well of the person when others expect gossip (Proverbs 10:19).

• Do tangible good when opportunity arises—“If your enemy is hungry, feed him” (Romans 12:20).

• Keep short accounts with God; confess any lingering resentment (1 John 1:9).

• Trust the Lord with outcomes, knowing He judges impartially (1 Peter 1:17).

How does Psalm 41:5 connect with Jesus' experiences in the Gospels?
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