Prayer Against Offense

Life is full of situations that can give rise to us taking offense. Unfair things happen, people disappoint and let us down, others speak hurtful words. Over time, these offenses try to stay within our heart, building resentment, bitterness, anger, and unforgiveness.

Proverbs 19:11 A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

Sometimes we get offended because of the expectations we have. However, there is often little we can do to make people not be offended by us, but we can protect our hearts.

Proverbs 12:16 Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.

Offenses are bound to happen. We do not live with holy, spotless angels, but we live with humans who are flesh and blood just as we are. 

This does not mean that our feelings of offense are invalid, but it gives us a better understanding of why we need to pray against offenses. There are people who will offend us unintentionally, and there are also those who will offend us intentionally.

 2 Timothy 2:24 A servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 

When our hearts are offended, we are unable to walk in God’s spirit. The offense usually births bitterness, unforgiveness, insecurities, and self-doubt.

 If you are insulted, disrespected, shamed, or looked down upon, remember that you are not what people say or think, but you are who God says you are. God says you are precious in His sight; so precious that He is ready to give nations in your place.

Isaiah 43:4 Since you are precious to me, you are honored and I love you. I will exchange others for you. Nations will be the price I pay for your life.

Zechariah 2:8 For thus says the Lord of hosts: “… he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.

Let Us Pray

Dear Lord, I find myself feeling hurt, insulted, and offended by the words and actions of others. Every time I’m offended, I overthink and start questioning my worth and abilities. 

Sometimes others offend me unknowingly and unintentionally, but I still continue dwelling on the negative feelings.

1 Peter 2:23 When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; when He was abused and suffered, He made no threats of vengeance; but he trusted Himself and everything to Him Who judges fairly.

Rejected But Not Taking Offense

Lord, how did You do it? You were rejected by your own creation, yet you went ahead to die on the cross even for them that rejected You, an act of love. 

You were accused of casting out devils by Beelzebub, yet You were not offended. You were betrayed, but You kept your heart pure from unforgiveness. 

Peter denied knowing You, Your own disciples and friends all forsook you on the day that I think you needed them most, yet You didn’t take offense. How did you do it, Lord?

Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Heart Of Humility

Please create in me a clean heart, renew within me a steadfast spirit. When I am insulted, and about to take offense, please remind me that they spat in the face of the King of kings too. Remind me that you were mocked, beaten, and insulted. 

Help me to pick up my cross and follow You. When I am despised and looked down on, give me the grace to keep a pure heart, free from offense and unforgiveness.

Lord, give me a heart of humility. Give me a heart like Your heart. Give me a heart that is ready to let go. Give me a heart like a child’s heart. Help me not to allow the offense to take me over. In the name of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4:32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

Lord, free my heart from offense, self-doubt, and insecurities. Heal me from past experiences that may trigger offenses. Heal me from experiences that may cause me to misinterpret the words and actions of others.

Help me to understand that I am not who people say, think or how they treat me; but I am who You say I am. I am what the Bible says. My worth is in You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen!