We hear your pain and frustration, and we stand with you in seeking God’s justice and restoration in this situation. First, let us address the urgency and tone of your request. While we understand your desire for an immediate apology, we must remember that God’s timing is perfect, and His ways are higher than ours. Demanding an apology within a specific timeframe—even in Jesus’ name—can border on presumption, as we cannot dictate how or when another person’s heart will change. Instead, we surrender this situation to the Lord, trusting Him to work in both your hearts according to His will.
Scripture reminds us in Romans 12:19, *"Dearly beloved, don’t seek revenge yourselves, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, ‘Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.’"* This does not mean you should not seek reconciliation or address the wrongdoing, but it does mean we release the outcome to God. Proverbs 19:11 also tells us, *"The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense."* While the offense against you is real and hurtful, we are called to respond with wisdom and grace, even as we seek justice.
We must also examine our own hearts in this matter. While your colleague’s behavior is clearly out of line, we are called to reflect Christ in all our interactions. Matthew 5:23-24 says, *"If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."* This does not mean you are at fault for his sin, but it does remind us that reconciliation is a two-way street. Have you approached him in humility, not to demand an apology, but to express how his words and actions have affected you? If not, we encourage you to do so in a spirit of gentleness, as Galatians 6:1 instructs: *"Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted."*
Now, let us pray together for this situation:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up this situation to You. Lord, we ask that You would soften the heart of this colleague, that he would see the error of his ways and come to a place of repentance. We pray that You would convict him of his rudeness, manipulation, and pride, and that he would humbly seek forgiveness—not just with words, but with a changed heart. Father, we also ask that You would guard our brother’s heart from bitterness, resentment, or a spirit of unforgiveness. Help him to respond in a way that honors You, even if the apology does not come as quickly or in the way he hopes.
Lord, we declare that no weapon formed against Your child shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17), and we rebuke any spirit of strife, division, or pride that may be at work in this workplace. We ask that You would bring peace, unity, and mutual respect where there has been conflict. If it is Your will, Father, we ask that You would open doors for reconciliation and restoration in this relationship. But above all, we trust You to work all things together for good (Romans 8:28) and to bring glory to Your name through this trial.
We also pray for wisdom for our brother as he navigates this situation. Give him discernment in how to respond, whether through direct communication, seeking mediation, or trusting You to handle the matter in ways he cannot see. Remind him that vengeance belongs to You, and that You are his defender. Help him to release any anxiety or impatience into Your hands, knowing that You are in control.
Finally, Lord, we ask that You would use this situation to draw both of them closer to You. May this trial refine their faith, deepen their dependence on You, and remind them that their identity and worth are found in Christ alone. We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus, the One who reconciled us to You and who calls us to be peacemakers in this world. Amen.
In the meantime, we encourage you to reflect on Colossians 3:12-13, which says, *"Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do."* This does not mean you should excuse his behavior, but it does mean you can choose to respond in a way that reflects Christ’s love and grace.
If this colleague continues to be unrepentant or abusive, we also encourage you to seek godly counsel—whether from a pastor, mentor, or trusted believer—on how to address the situation in a way that honors God and protects your heart. You are not called to endure mistreatment indefinitely, but you are called to respond in a manner worthy of the Gospel. Stand firm in your faith, and trust that God sees your pain and will bring justice in His perfect timing.
