Prayer for When You’re Verbally Attacked
Do you ever just feel attacked? Sometimes it can seem relentless! I think it’s high time that we just get fed up with being attacked and start doing something about it! Previously, I wrote a post for scriptures to help when you feel attacked or persecuted. These scriptures are helpful and comforting to let us know that we’re not alone, that God is our avenger, and that we will be blessed and graced when enduring persecution. Today I’d like to go on the offensive a little more. I’d like to give you a prayer that you can pray when you feel like you’re being verbally attacked by people.
We are not doormats to be walked on
I do believe there is a time and a place to endure attacks, but I also firmly believe that God never intended for us to be doormats to be walked on by people. When we’re being verbally attacked, there ARE times when it’s okay to fight back…just not always in the way your natural instincts might want to! 😉 It’s okay to go to war. We don’t have to hide until Jesus comes. Nor do we have to be wimpy, spineless, victimized Christians! We don’t always need to head for cover when we’re verbally attacked by people.
We need to be fighters and warriors!
It’s time to decide to be strong and put on the full armor of God to stand up to the devil and his schemes and strategies!
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)
During a Bible study in college, it was brought to my attention that we have nothing on our back with this armor. In warfare we are meant to stand, face it, and fight–NOT turn our backs and run away.
Some attacks have to be faced head-on.
Fight spiritual warfare
When we are verbally attacked, we should recognize (like in Ephesians 6:12) that sometimes there are more to these attacks than we might realize. It’s not always the individual. Sometimes there are spiritual forces behind the people instigating the attack. It’s spiritual warfare. That’s how we should fight back too…in the spiritual realm. We need to go straight to the source. We can do this with prayer and by using our God-given authority.
A while back I, myself, got fed up with being verbally attacked, and I wrote out a prayer to start to fight back against these attacks. It helped me tremendously, even to the point that God had to remind me that He answered my prayer!
A few days after praying this I was complaining about how this particular person was being so rude by not acknowledging or speaking to me at all…and then all of a sudden a thought popped in my head, “You asked me to bind her mouth shut. Why are you complaining about it now?” If my kids had heard this they would say, “OH! BURN, Mom!!” Yes indeed…God had “burned” me! 🙂 I got exactly what I asked for in my prayer. I hope that you will too, and hopefully you recognize it better than me!
Take a Practical Step to Fight Back When You’re Verbally Attacked:
Pray this prayer when you’re verbally attacked (I’ve listed the scriptures upon which this prayer is based below)…
Lord, I’m tired of being verbally attacked! I bind Satan right now in the name of Jesus! Scripture says that whatever I bind on earth is bound in heaven and whatever I loose on earth is loosed in heaven. I pray for the angels to be loosed to come to my aid in this situation. I pray that your angels would wage war against my enemy on my behalf and that they would bring peace and calm to me.
I pray that you will bind the mouths shut of any verbal attacks. Shut the mouths of the “lions” just as you did for Daniel. The devil is behind these attacks against me, and he is a lion seeking to devour me. He has no authority here though because according to the Bible, I have authority over ALL of the power of the enemy. No weapon formed against me shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against me in judgment shall be condemned!
I also pray, Lord, that you would help me to watch what I say, and let no ungodly communication come out of my mouth. I pray that you would put a guard over my mouth and watch the door over my lips. When I do speak, I pray that you would speak through me and give me to right words at the right time and such wisdom that none of my enemies would be able to reply or contradict. I ask these things in Jesus’ name.
Scriptures this prayer was based upon:
Pray this when you’re verbally attacked
“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18 (NIV)
“For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.” Psalm 34:7 (NLT)
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” Psalm 91:11 (NIV)
“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:14 (NIV)
“And I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be speechless and unable to rebuke them…” Ezekiel 3:26 (NLT)
“My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” Daniel 6:22 (NLT)
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
“Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.” Luke 10:19 (NLT)
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
“Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 (NIV)
“For it is not you who will be speaking–it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Matthew 10:20 (NLT)
“…don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.” Matthew 10:19 (NLT)
“For I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!” Luke 21:5 (NLT)
How do you handle being verbally attacked? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below.
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*Updated: Originally posted 5/24/16
I came across this searching for scripture to pray because i have a sister who’s heart is xilled with hateed and anger towards me. She constantly attacks me with her mouth. I said God you didn’t tell me to be a doormat to this abuse over and over. Then i see what you wrote. Prayer is perfect for me. What’s so amazing the two things i said to God this morning you confirmed in your message. Which help me to know I’m on the right track. Thank you ! A grateful reader.
Barbara, I’m so glad this was helpful for you! Praying grace and patience for you and for a softened heart for your sister.
Thank you Tracy for these words of wisdom and all the scriptures to bring into situations that seem so bleak in the moments of verbal abuse. I have been dealing with verbal abuse from my family for four years now. The most recent encounter in public and was a personal one that was very brutal. By the grace of God, my husband and I walked away because we knew that speaking any word would have resulted in my family member being very violent. This post helped me very much to realize it’s much deeper than the attack that was brought today.
Amanda, I’m so sorry to hear that your family has been verbally abusive. I know that must be painful. I’m glad to hear that this post and scriptures have been encouraging and helpful for you. I pray that you are strengthened in your authority as you fight these spiritual attacks and that God heals some of the painful wounds these attacks may have caused.
Just Thank you. God bless…
😊
I just found your post and prayer. My adult daughter has become very angry and verbally abusive toward me over wrongs she feels she suffered in her childhood. We’ve talked extensively about her feelings and I’ve apologized many times for ways that I have hurt her. However it has become clear that these attacks are coming from dark spiritual forces that won’t allow her to forgive. Recently she threatens cutting off communication with me because Being around me reminds her of her grievances from the past, and I’m toxic to her mental health. (she is actually a mental health counselor). Yes, I’ve been praying against this for some time. Yesterday was another tirade, worse than usual. Satan must really be riled at me. There’s nothing to do but keep praying. If you see this, I could use some encouragement.
Carolyn, I’m so sorry you are experiencing such discouragement and distress in your relationship with your daughter. I pray that God would give you wisdom and insight into what steps you can take toward restoration and healing with your daughter (Psalm 25:4, Psalm 32:8, Psalm 37:23, Prov. 3:5-6). I also pray that in conversations with your daughter that God would help to guard what you say (Psalm 141:3) and you would have the right words at the right time (Matt. 10:19, Col. 4:6). I pray that God will soften your daughter’s heart to be tender and responsive (Ezekiel 36:25-27) and that God would enable and equip her with the ability and willingness to forgive. I also pray that God will enable and remind you to use your spiritual authority against the enemy in times of attack. Finally I pray that God would lighten your heart, comfort, and encourage you in times of discouragement and darkness. You are loved!
Tracy
I found this prayer as I was searching for a scripture that fit the situation I have been going through.
I broke up with someone I was dating, and he has been attacking me since.
He has had me falsely arrested. He has spread flyers all over the building where I live, slandering me. He has told lies about me to everyone that would listen. I had to file a restraining order against him. Now that the restraining order is expired, he has started harassing me again.
I wish no ill will against him…I just want peace, and for him to stop attacking me. Please GOD…help me. 😢
Praying for your peace and protection.
I came across this prayer while searching for help. This morning was not a good morning, I feel like verbal accusations and judgements made against me especially when it comes from loved ones hurt so much more and leave me feeling very un-needed.
I am however thankful for this prayer. It is exactly what I qm facing, but I am reminded of God’s embrace qnd lasting grace.
Thankyou
Kayla, I’m so sorry for your hurt. I can definitely understand the pain of these attacks. I hope you find peace and healing as you seek God’s help in this area. Much love to you! Tracy
Thank you for this prayer and Bible references. I am attacked too often and try and pray during but find it so difficult. I’m going to use this prayer and scriptures to pray in advance.
I hope you find them helpful Susan. Unfortunately, it seems like we live in a day and age where people are becoming more and more unkind, ESPECIALLY with their words. I pray you are protected!
Just today an older lady I know from church, over the phone, would not let me finish my sentences, and kept rudely “biting my head off”, misunderstanding everything I was trying to say. I was calling only to explain something but she took it like I was putting her down. I’d never do that, especially with an elder in the church. Earlier this week the church secretary did the same thing over the phone. Seems out of character for both ladies. The secretary twisted what I said to mean the OPPOSITE of what I ACTUALLY said. But I realized it was a spiritual attack. Satan hates it that I’m starting volunteering at a pro-life crisis pregnancy center this week, where we give them help, we also give them alternatives to abortion, AND we tell them about Jesus. Most of them end up keeping their baby,while some place them for adoption rather than abort them. When an attack seems to come from out of nowhere, always be aware who’s REALLY behind it and be prepared with scripture, and put on the armor of God. Usually it’s when you’re on the verge of a breakthrough of some kind. The older lady kept on arguing, and I was trying to soothe things over, quench the fires, so to speak, so I just said “I love you, Ms. ——“ then gently hung up the phone while she kept arguing.
Should be interesting tomorrow at church, but I’m determined to take the high road, with the help of the Holy Spirit. 🙏🏻
Thanks for the scriptural prayers and words of encouragement. ✝️
You’re very welcome. Prayers for grace for you to endure. 🙂
I really needed this, please pray for me as satan is using my mom to emotionally, mentally and verbally abusing me, and I can’t take it anymore I am dying inside going into depression, i am single mom of three since my financial condition is not good so staying with my mom, I have nowhere else to go , please pray for breakthrough
Praying for you. Praying for your protection, peace, comfort and direction as God guides you to your next steps. 🙏