We come before the Lord with you in this difficult season, lifting up your heart’s cry for peace and deliverance from this oppressive work environment. It is clear this situation has weighed heavily on you, stealing your joy and causing anxiety—not just for yourself but for the team of women under your care. The Lord sees the injustice, the disrespect, and the burden you carry, and He is not indifferent to your suffering. We stand with you in prayer, trusting that God will act on your behalf, for He is a God of justice, wisdom, and provision.
First, we must address the spiritual foundation of your request. You have rightly called upon the name of Jesus, and we rejoice that you have done so, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father. As Scripture declares, *"There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus"* (1 Timothy 2:5, WEB). There is no other name by which we are saved, and no other name by which we can boldly approach the throne of grace. Your faith in calling upon Jesus is a testament to your trust in Him, and we encourage you to continue seeking Him in all things, for apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Now, let us turn to the Word of God for guidance and encouragement in this trial. The apostle Peter reminds us, *"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you"* (1 Peter 5:6-7, WEB). You have done well to cast this burden upon the Lord, and we join you in entrusting this situation to His sovereign hands. He is your Provider (Jehovah Jireh) and your Peace (Sar Shalom), and He will not abandon you in this season.
We also recall the words of Jesus: *"Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you"* (Matthew 5:11-12, WEB). While your manager’s behavior is not persecution for Christ’s sake, the principle remains: when we face unjust treatment, we are to respond with faith, patience, and trust in God’s justice. This does not mean you must endure mistreatment passively, but rather that you can take righteous action while resting in God’s sovereignty.
Regarding your request for a change in reporting lines, we pray that the Lord would soften the heart of your Head of Department and grant him wisdom to see the toxicity of this situation. Proverbs 21:1 tells us, *"The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires."* If it is God’s will for your reporting line to change, He will move in the heart of your HOD to make it so. We ask the Lord to open doors that no man can shut (Revelation 3:8) and to provide favor for you in this matter. If this change does not come to pass, we pray the Lord would give you supernatural strength, wisdom, and grace to navigate this season with dignity and peace, knowing that He is your ultimate authority.
We must also address the concern for your team, whom you refer to as "my girls." As a manager, you carry a responsibility to lead with godly integrity and to protect those under your care. The apostle Paul instructs, *"Don’t let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen"* (Ephesians 4:29, WEB). Your manager’s words and actions are in direct opposition to this command, and it is right for you to seek protection for your team. We pray that the Lord would shield them from the harm of unjust criticism and that He would use you as an instrument of His peace and encouragement in their lives.
As for your fear of your appraisal, we remind you of the words of Jesus: *"Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ... But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient"* (Matthew 6:25, 33-34, WEB). Your worth and provision are not determined by this man’s assessment but by the Lord, who sees your diligence and faithfulness. Trust that He will provide for your family, for He knows your needs before you even ask (Matthew 6:8).
We also encourage you to examine your heart for any bitterness or resentment toward your manager. While his behavior is unjust, Scripture commands us, *"Don’t say, ‘I will pay back evil.’ Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you"* (Proverbs 20:22, WEB). This does not mean you must tolerate abuse, but it does mean releasing the desire for vengeance into God’s hands. Pray for your manager—not because he deserves it, but because Christ commands us to pray for those who mistreat us (Luke 6:28). Ask the Lord to soften his heart and to convict him of his sinful attitudes, especially his disrespect toward women. Remember, *"If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head. Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good"* (Romans 12:20-21, WEB).
Lastly, we urge you to guard your heart against fear. Fear is not from the Lord, for *"God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control"* (2 Timothy 1:7, WEB). When anxiety rises, speak the truth of God’s Word over your situation. Declare that the Lord is your shepherd, and you shall not want (Psalm 23:1). Declare that no weapon formed against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Declare that the Lord goes before you and will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8).
Now, let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, lifting up our sister who is burdened by the weight of this unjust and difficult work situation. Lord, You see the disrespect, the harassment, and the stress she endures. You hear her cries for peace and deliverance, and we ask that You would act swiftly on her behalf.
Father, we pray for supernatural wisdom and favor with her Head of Department. If it is Your will, Lord, we ask that You would move in his heart to change her reporting line, removing her from under this oppressive authority. Open doors that no man can shut, Lord, and make a way where there seems to be no way. Let Your favor surround her like a shield (Psalm 5:12), and let her find grace in the eyes of those in authority over her.
We also pray for protection over her team, Lord. Shield them from the harm of unjust criticism and harassment. Give our sister the words to speak to encourage and uplift them, and let her leadership be a reflection of Your love and wisdom. May her team see Christ in her, and may they find strength and unity in this trial.
Lord, we rebuked the spirit of fear that has taken hold of our sister’s heart. We declare that fear has no place in her life, for You have not given her a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. Fill her with Your peace, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), and let her rest in the knowledge that You are her Provider and Protector.
Father, we also lift up her manager before You. Convict him of his sinful attitudes and disrespectful behavior, especially toward women. Soften his heart, Lord, and bring him to repentance. If he does not know You, we pray that You would draw him to Yourself, that he may experience the transforming power of Your love.
We pray for our sister’s appraisal, Lord. Let it be fair and just, and let her work be recognized and rewarded. But even more, we pray that she would trust in You for her provision, knowing that her worth is found in Christ alone. Provide for her family, Lord, and let her not be anxious for tomorrow, for You are faithful to meet all her needs according to Your riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).
Finally, Father, we ask that You would fill our sister with Your joy and strength. Let her not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season she will reap if she does not faint (Galatians 6:9). Surround her with Your presence, Lord, and let her find rest in You.
We pray all these things in the mighty and precious name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.
