A Prayer About Retaliation

When I want to get even

HOLY SPIRIT,

I am furious. I was wronged and want to get even, to make the person who hurt me pay dearly. I need your help. Scripture makes very clear that retaliation is wrong—we shouldn’t look for payback and return evil for evil, and we should leave revenge to you. But I’m having trouble letting go of these feelings. In fact, I fear what I might do if given the opportunity. In the grand scheme, the offense is not a big deal (I’ve heard of people who have even forgiven the murderer of a loved one), but I feel frustrated, betrayed, and angry. Do your work in me, I pray. Please change my attitude and feelings. Jesus said we should pray for our enemies, so that is where I will begin. This is tough, but right now I pray for ________. Please work in that life too. I also pray for reconciliation, that one day the offender and I might even be friends again. That would be a miracle, and I’m trusting you for it.

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD. . . . Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:17-19, 21