8 Prayers Against Domestic Violence and Abuse

Families or individuals who have experienced domestic violence and abuse are in the process of healing both physically and emotionally from multiple traumas of the mind, body and spirit. Some of these victims are people we don’t know but others, we may know very closely. Unfortunately, too many victims suffer and silence and don’t know who or where to turn to. It’s important that we pray for their healing and restoration, turning to the only One who has the power to make all things new. Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). He also said, “Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28). Whether someone persecutes, abuses, hates or curses us, we are called to pray for them. What God is doing with this command is make God a necessary part of enemy love. We are to turn to God when our enemy abuses us. Here are eight prayers against domestic violence and abuse, for the victims and the abusers.

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Loving God, be with all men and women who are in doubt about their intimate relationships. Give them clarity of mind and peaceful hearts so that they can make good decisions guided by Your love. Let those who must, discern any abuse that may exist so that they can learn to care for themselves with Your help. Let those who must, acknowledge that they are harming the other, so they can learn to abhor their own behavior and come to true repentance and amendment of life. Keep us all safe in our relationships. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

There are so many people who live in darkness as a result of abusive relationships. Abuse can take many forms, not just physical, but mental, verbal and emotional as well. It’s important that we ask God to enlighten victims and provide them with wisdom to see when things are not right within their relationships. Even when they feel powerless or fearful, God is in their corner. When you pray for these victims, ask God for the strength to share these convictions, the compassion for the abused, and the wisdom to plant seeds that encourage people to think and ponder these serious issues.

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Gracious God, You created us in Your image and breathed life into us, a life You want us to live abundantly. We ask You to free those living with abuse physically, mentally or spiritually, from their oppression, so that they may walk in peace and enjoy a life full of Your blessings. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

It’s important as followers of Christ to stand against all types of domestic violence and abuse not only outside of our homes but also in our homes. Call on God to bind every evil spirit associated with them. We shouldn’t advocate for anyone who destroys a person’s self-respect, self-worth and confidence and leaves them with feelings of low self-esteem and depression. Pray that God will heal, forgive and show these victims that, as a person, they deserve to be respected, feel safe and valued. Also pray that those being abused to recognize that when they feel dominated, disgraced and even dejected, that they need to stand up and declare that no weapon formed against them shall prosper because they are delivered by the blood of Jesus and are children of the Most High God.

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O Lord, help us to be strong stewards of all You have entrusted to us. Give us the courage and Your strength to stand against violence inflicted upon Your precious people. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

We know that Jesus was delivered into the hands of the wicked, yet He prayed for His persecutors and overcame hatred with the blood of the cross. It’s important that we stand against violence and pray, not only for peace of mind but also a renewed faith in God’s protection and care. Call on God to keep you aware to the concerns of violence and to inspire those in your community to develop a sense of urgency when it comes to the many needs that surround us. God has the power to protect us all from the violence of others, to keep us safe from the weapons of hate, and to restore to us tranquility and peace.

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Almighty God, we pray for all victims of abuse. We ask you to surround them with Your care and protect them by Your loving might and permit them to enjoy health and healing, wholeness and strength, calmness and peace and love. Most of all, we pray that they feel Your presence and be confident in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

When we lift up prayers of healing for domestic violence victims, we are praying for survivors and anybody that has ever been affected by domestic violence and abuse. We are asking the Lord to cover them with Jesus' blood and His wings so that might find refuge in Him. Pray that God will give them the strength to fight back spiritually and that you deliver them and heal them. Also, pray for peace, strength, hope, wisdom and love. While we don't always know why situations happen or what we should do regarding them, God reminds of us His love everyday and helps us see that we are wonderfully made.

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Teaching God, we pray that You open our ears, our eyes, and our hearts to be more aware, outreaching, and supportive to people in abusive situations, so that they won’t feel alone and know that someone cares. Let us love them as You have loved us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

For survivors of violence, abuse and neglect, many are in a state of constant loneliness and pain. Pray that God will be with them in their confusion and pain. God has the ability to give power to the powerless and His fullness to the empty of spirit. He also has the power to heal their wounds, free them from fear and restore them to true health. Jesus was victim of abuse and yet in His resurrection, He triumphed over oppression. Likewise, we should pray for those who abuse and mistreat others. We should also pray to turn the hearts of the exploiters from the way of evil so that He may open their eyes to the truth of their conduct and the damage they are causing. Hopefully, this prayer will bring them to repentance and amendment of their lives.

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Merciful God, we give you thanks for your gift of strength and life and especially for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, through whom we have health and salvation. Help us by Your Holy Spirit to witness your power in our lives and to know your eternal love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our God is a God of love, who is ever caring, ever strong, always present and always just. He gave His only Son to save us by the blood of his cross. As a Shepherd of Peace, He has the power to heal those who have been hurt in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them. Many of us agonize over the harm done to our brothers and sisters. God can breathe wisdom into our prayers, soothe restless hearts with hope and steady shaken spirits with faith.

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Compassionate God, protect the innocent children who suffer or witness violence and abuse at the hands of the ones they love. Bring them to a safe place where they can begin to heal. Restore their minds to trust and their hearts to love and their spirits to be free. Surround them with your angels. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

It’s important that we pray specifically for the children who have been hurt, abused, neglected, criticized, dominated, betrayed and abandoned. Psalm 27:10 says, “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.” Call on Jesus to help these children feel loved and cared for, in a tangible way. Also pray that these children will not look for love in all the wrong places, in a fruitless attempt to fill a God-sized void. The Holy Spirit has the power to comfort them and deliver them.

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Loving Savior, touch the hearts of those who abuse others. Heal their thinking, so that they may turn to You and seek Your ways. Help them to know that every human being is a treasure to You. Help them to know that You are a forgiving God and can lead them on a path to new life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our Heavenly Father is a source of consolation and hope and by His son’s dying and rising, He remains our light in every darkness and our strength in every weakness. Call on God to be the refuge and guardian of all who suffer from abuse and violence. Ask that He comforts these victims and sends healing for their wounds of body, soul and spirit. God has the power to rescue them from bitterness and shame and refresh them with Your love. He can heal their brokenness and revive the spirits of all who lament this sin. In order to call for justice, we must first deepen our respect for the dignity of every human life. Call on the giver of peace who has the power to restore.