Praying for Someone Who Has Hurt You

When someone hurts us, it can be hard to move forward. The pain can sit in our hearts for a long time. Sometimes we feel stuck in anger or sadness. We may even feel like praying is impossible.

But Jesus gives us another path. He tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who hurt us. That does not mean we have to pretend everything is fine. It means we bring our pain to God and ask Him to help us. Jesus knows how much it hurts. He was hurt and rejected, too.

This prayer helps us begin healing. First, we look to the words of Jesus. Then we ask God to heal our own hearts. We also pray for the person who hurt us, even if we are still hurting. That kind of prayer takes courage. It’s not easy, but it opens our hearts to God’s peace.

If you are carrying pain because of something someone did to you, this prayer is for you. Take your time with it. Let God be with you in your hurt. You don’t have to rush. Just start by telling Him what you feel. He listens. He sees your pain. And He walks with you as you pray.

Praying for someone who has hurt you can feel impossible. You might be angry, confused, or deeply sad. It’s hard to speak kind words when your heart is aching. Even thinking about the person can bring up painful memories.

You might wonder if you’re ready to forgive. Or if praying for them means what they did was okay. But this kind of prayer isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about giving your pain to God. It’s about letting Him help you carry it.

Jesus never said it would be easy. But He knows what it’s like to be hurt. He understands every feeling. He invites us to trust Him, even when we don’t know how to begin.

You don’t have to feel strong to say this prayer. Just start where you are. If all you can do is whisper the words, that’s enough. God will take it from there.

This prayer helps young people take Jesus’ words seriously. In the Gospel of Matthew, He tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who hurt us. That’s a hard teaching, but it’s also a clear one. When teens practice this kind of prayer, they are learning how to live the Gospel.

In youth ministry, we teach about forgiveness, mercy, and compassion. These are not just ideas. They are actions. This prayer shows what it looks like to follow Jesus when it’s hard. It gives teens a way to pray through anger and hurt without hiding from those feelings.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “Prayer is the life of the new heart. It ought to animate us at every moment” (CCC 2697). When we pray for those who wrong us, we invite God to work in our lives. We also start to see others the way God sees them.

This kind of prayer can shape a young person’s faith. It gives them a way to deal with pain instead of just holding it inside. It reminds them that they are never alone. And it helps them grow in love, one small prayer at a time.

(Start by meditating on this scripture)

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies,
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.”  – Matthew 5:43-45

(Now pray for healing in your own heart.)

Loving Father, it is so difficult to let go of the hurt.
First I ask you to cleanse my heart of my resentment towards NAME.
Grant me the grace to forgive him for this pain I feel.
Heal my brokenness and give me peace.
I believe you have the power to do this.
I trust in your justice.

(And finally, pray for the person who has hurt you.)

I lift up NAME to you in prayer.
I don’t know what caused him to hurt me in this way.
Only you can see what is in another person’s heart.
Please call to him and draw him closer to you.
I know you have a tremendous love for all of your children, including NAME.
In your compassion, grant him whatever grace he needs today.

I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord
Through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Why Must I Pray for My Enemies?

The teaching on praying for enemies reminds us that Jesus wants us to love even those who hurt us. This doesn’t mean we pretend the hurt didn’t happen. It means we choose peace over hatred. The Catechism says that hatred is a sin when we wish harm on others. Anger itself is not wrong, but we should not let it grow into hate. Instead, we are called to pray. This kind of prayer helps us move away from revenge and closer to love. It opens the door to healing, both for us and for the person who hurt us.

The Praying for Someone Who Has Hurt You prayer fits well with this teaching. It follows what Jesus says in the Gospel and what the Church teaches. The prayer starts by asking God for help with our own pain. Then it moves to praying for the other person’s good. This is a way to live out the call to peace and love in real life. It’s not always easy, but it’s what Christ asks us to do.

More Catholic Prayers

If this prayer helped you, you might want to explore more like it. You can find many other simple and meaningful prayers on our Catholic Prayers page. These prayers can help you talk to God in everyday situations.

Praying for Someone Who Has Hurt You is one of the many prayers listed there. You’ll also find prayers for peace, strength, forgiveness, and more. Visit our Catholic Prayers page and see which ones speak to your needs today.

Do I have to forgive before I pray?

No. Praying for someone who has hurt you can be the first step toward forgiveness. You can ask God to help you forgive, even if you are not ready yet.

What if I don’t feel like praying?

That’s okay. Praying for someone who has hurt you is hard. Just start small. Even a short prayer counts. God understands how you feel.

Can I pray this if the hurt is still fresh?

Yes. Praying for someone who has hurt you does not mean the pain is gone. It means you are asking God to help you through it.

Why should I pray for someone who hurt me?

Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and pray for them. Praying for someone who has hurt you brings healing to your heart and invites God into the situation.

What if the person keeps hurting me?

You can still pray, but you don’t have to stay in harm’s way. Praying for someone who has hurt you does not mean letting them hurt you again or even talk to them. It’s okay to have boundaries.

How often should I pray this prayer?

As often as you need to. Praying for someone who has hurt you is not a one-time thing. You can come back to it again and again.

Can I pray this even if I don’t mean every word yet?

Yes. Praying for someone who has hurt you is also asking God to help you mean it more each time. God works with whatever we give Him.

Praying for Someone Who Has Hurt You is a simple but honest prayer. It begins with the words of Jesus, reminding us to love our enemies and pray for those who have done us wrong. These words are not easy to follow, but they show us a better way forward.

The prayer is broken into three parts. First, we reflect on Scripture. Then, we ask God to heal our own pain. Finally, we pray for the person who hurt us. Each step invites God into our hurt and helps us begin the process of forgiveness.

This prayer can be helpful for teens who are dealing with broken friendships, bullying, or family struggles. It gives them a tool to talk to God honestly. It reminds them that they are not alone in their pain and that healing takes time.

By praying like this, we grow closer to God and learn to let go of the weight we carry. It doesn’t mean we forget the pain. But it helps us stop holding onto anger. Instead, we place it in God’s hands and let Him lead us toward peace.

Have you ever struggled to forgive someone? Try using this prayer. It’s a good way to begin talking to God about your pain. You don’t have to have all the answers. Just start where you are.

After you pray, we invite you to leave a comment. Share how the prayer helped you or what it made you think about. Others may be going through the same thing. Your story can encourage someone else to pray too.