After running yesterday’s post about mean people, a friend of mine emailed me asking a great follow up question. I’m wondering if you had the same questions and concerns.

Praying for people who are hurtful is tough. I don’t necessairly like the idea of making my heart vulnerable to praying for them. Because, when we pray something inside us changes and we are almost forced to see that person differently. We can’t come before our pure and glorious King with an ugly heart as we pray for our mean girls.

Here is the question my sweet friend asked:

Sarah, I’m dealing with two mean people in my life. It is almost as if the conspire against me daily. I am devastated and my heart hurts. Being reminded to pray for them and the hurt they are doing to me will help. Maybe you can give me some good thoughts on how to pray and let my feelings go!

My answer:

First of all, if these people are being flat out hurtful, it means they have some deep seeded issues of their own outside of your particular situation. I suggest praying that God will touch their heart in a special way and somehow reveal His love and His mercy.

 Second, pray that God will heal your own heart. Pray that He will take over and show you that whatever is going on with your old roommate and ex will not overtake your life and that He will fill in the empty spaces in your heart and life. Also, just simply pray that He will give you a heart of mercy and forgiveness toward them.

***UPDATE: I’m getting some really interesting feedback via email on this subject. Be on the look out for more about Mean Girls this week.

So what do you all think? How do you or would you specifically pray for those who hurt you? Leave a comment…