“Let me not be put to shame, LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and be silent in the realm of the dead.” —Psalm 31:17
Life often feels predictable and routine until an embarrassing moment or betrayal changes everything. You may be well-liked in your family, relationships, workplace, school, or community. You may have friends and acquaintances who seem genuinely supportive.
It can feel as though nothing can go wrong, and that the people who care for you will remain loyal no matter what happens. Yet human relationships are fragile. A leaked video, a secret scandal, a small mistake, or even a momentary lapse can quickly turn admiration into gossip, support into silence, and friendship into abandonment.
As the saying goes, you only truly know your friends when everyone else has walked away.
“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.”
—Isaiah 54:4
The Bible shows us that even the closest disciples could falter. Judas betrayed Christ, and Peter denied knowing Him three times in a moment of fear and shame (Matthew 26:69-75). Loyalty is easy when things are smooth, but in times of disgrace, even the strongest bonds can be tested.
As Christians, we will face seasons of difficulty and humiliation. That is why Jesus taught us to pray, “lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.”
In a fallen world, evil will find its way to your door, and it is in these moments that the Lord is most essential. His Word must remain on our lips, guiding and protecting us.
Some may lose all hope in the face of disgrace, taking actions that lead to even greater harm. God’s grace, however, is sufficient to sustain us. Alongside asking Him to keep disgrace from our lives, we must also pray for the strength to resist shame, temptation, and harmful thoughts when we feel vulnerable.
In This Article
Prayer to not be shamed
Shame can strike unexpectedly, sometimes as the result of mistakes, but often from the actions of others. It carries a heavy burden, wounding dignity and damaging confidence. This prayer asks God for protection from shame and disgrace, wisdom to avoid harmful choices, and strength to stay calm and steadfast. It invites God to turn traps set for you into your protection.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
I come before You with a humble heart, asking that You protect me from shame and all its heavy burdens. I know that shame can come through the words, actions, or deceit of others, and sometimes through my own missteps. Please guard my heart and guide my steps so that I may walk in wisdom and truth at all times.
Give me the discernment to recognise people who mean me well and to distance myself from those who only pretend to care. Help me to avoid committing myself to paths that will bring pain and disgrace. Fill me with self-control so that anger and rash words will not expose me to humiliation.
Instead, Lord, grant me a calm heart, steady spirit, and peace in every situation. Where others set traps for me, let them fall into their own snares, while I stand in the safety of Your covering. Let shame never overtake me, but instead, let my life reflect Your honour and glory.
Amen.
Prayer to not be disgraced
Disgrace can arrive without warning. At times, even when you are diligent, honourable, and faithful, someone may deliberately orchestrate your downfall. The pain of disgrace is that it not only affects you but can ripple out to your family and loved ones. This prayer is a shield, asking for God’s favour, integrity, and preservation from every hidden plot designed to bring you low.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
I lift my heart to You, asking for divine protection from all forms of disgrace. Cover me with Your mercy and surround me with Your favour so that no weapon fashioned against me shall prosper. Where others may secretly plan harm, turn their plots into nothing, and keep me safe from public shame and dishonour.
Strengthen me to resist temptation and to choose righteousness in every situation. Guard my thoughts, my actions, and my words, so that I may walk in paths that bring glory to You and honour to my family. Teach me to stand firm in my integrity and to reflect Your light even when others attempt to speak evil against me.
Fill my life with Your favour and let doors of opportunity open before me, while disgrace and dishonour are shut far from me. May my name and my deeds testify of Your goodness. Preserve my dignity and let those around me see the evidence of Your grace working in me.
Amen.
Prayer for strength during shame
When shame falls upon us, it can feel unbearable. Many lose themselves in addictions, harmful behaviours, or despair because they cannot carry the weight of humiliation. Yet shame always passes; the memory fades, and the noise of the world soon shifts to another story. This prayer seeks strength, resilience, and the reassurance that God’s presence never leaves us, even in our lowest moments.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I admit that I have fallen short and confess my mistakes before You. Thank You that through Christ Jesus, I have forgiveness and grace. Lord, as I go through this period of shame and heaviness, please grant me the strength not to give in to despair. Help me to remember that this moment is not the end of my story.
When others look away from me, remind me that You will never leave nor forsake me. When whispers, gossip, and judgment surround me, let me hear instead the still, steady voice of Your Spirit, assuring me that I am loved and not forgotten. Cover me with Your presence when I feel exposed, and hide me in the shelter of Your wings.
Lift my head high when I am bowed down, and clothe me again with joy and confidence. Give me the courage to rise above disgrace and walk forward with dignity. Turn my shame into a testimony of Your redemption, so that others may see Your hand at work in my life.
Amen.
Prayer for real friends
The company you keep can either strengthen you or lead you into ruin. Fake friends often disguise themselves well but harbour jealousy or malice. They may be the very ones who expose you to shame and disgrace. This prayer calls on God to remove pretence from your relationships, grant discernment, and surround you with true, loyal, and godly companions.
Prayer
Dear Lord in Heaven,
I thank You for the blessing of companionship and relationships. Today, I ask You to separate me from false friends and those who would drag me into shame. Protect me from people who speak well of me in public but plot my downfall in private. Remove from my path anyone whose intentions are not aligned with Your will for my life.
Instead, Lord, surround me with genuine friends who will love me in both my victories and my failures. Send me people who understand my strengths and weaknesses and yet stand by me faithfully. Let my circle be filled with honesty, loyalty, and wisdom, not jealousy or deceit.
Grant me discernment to recognise true companionship when it comes, and the courage to walk away from relationships that are harmful. Place in my life those who will speak truth with kindness, lift me up in difficult times, and encourage me to walk faithfully with You. May my friendships bring glory to Your name.
Amen.
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Prayer against evil thoughts
Shame and disgrace often bring not only external pain but internal battles as well. Negative thoughts can creep in. Thoughts of worthlessness, anger, or even hopelessness. In moments of weakness, such thoughts can be destructive. This prayer seeks God’s help to banish such darkness, guard the mind, and replace harmful thoughts with His peace, comfort, and life-giving truth.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
I surrender my mind to You today. When shame tries to overtake me and evil thoughts attempt to weigh me down, please step in and silence the lies of the enemy. Banish every destructive thought from my heart and replace it with Your peace, joy, and assurance. Let my mind be renewed daily by Your Word.
When whispers of despair tempt me towards hopelessness, remind me of the value of my life and the purpose You have set before me. When anger tries to control me, restrain my spirit with patience and self-control. When negative voices surround me, close my ears to their poison and open my heart to hear only Your truth.
Protect my family and loved ones from the ripple effects of my struggles. Keep me grounded and sane when I feel overwhelmed. Draw me closer to You, Lord, for in Your presence there is fullness of joy and strength. Guard me until peace floods my soul again, and help me to hold fast to Your love and guidance.
Amen.
Prayer for shame and guilt
When shame comes as the result of our own mistakes or sins, it carries an extra burden, guilt. Unlike disgrace caused by others, guilt is deeply internal and eats away at the peace of mind. This prayer seeks God’s forgiveness, healing for wounded conscience, and the ability to forgive oneself, so that the cycle of guilt and shame can finally be broken.
Prayer
Merciful Lord,
I come before You today with a heavy heart, weighed down by guilt and regret. I confess that I have sinned against You and against others. The shame of my actions lingers, and it has left me feeling unworthy of Your love. Yet, Lord, I know that You are gracious, merciful, and ever ready to forgive.
Please forgive me, Father, and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Wash away the stains of my past mistakes and grant me the peace that only You can give. Lord, I ask that You touch the hearts of those I have wronged, softening them to forgive me, just as You have forgiven me through Christ.
Help me, Lord, to also forgive myself. Free me from the chains of guilt that I carry and teach me to walk in Your grace. Restore my dignity and grant me the strength to live a life that honours You. Thank You, Father, for the promise of redemption and the assurance of Your unending love.
Amen.
Prayer for redemption
When shame and disgrace feel overwhelming, one of the greatest comforts is remembering that God is our Redeemer. No mistake, failure, or public humiliation is beyond His power to restore. This prayer asks for His mercy, for a brighter future than the past, and for trust to be rebuilt in both relationships and reputation through His renewing hand.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I thank You that You are my Redeemer, the One who restores and renews. Lord, I come before You today carrying the heavy burden of shame and disgrace. Please help me through this difficult season. Strengthen me to endure and keep me grounded in faith, even when voices of doubt and criticism surround me.
Remind me of the good You have done in my life, and let my past acts of kindness not be forgotten. Protect me from being defined by my mistakes, and instead let others remember the love, compassion, and good intentions that have always guided me.
Surround me with people who uplift me and bring me closer to You, not those who exploit my weakness or lead me astray. Wash me clean, O Lord, and make me new. Redeem me from disgrace and let my future shine brighter than my past. Restore the trust I have lost and let my life once again testify to Your goodness.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Prayer against haunting past
The past can be one of the strongest weapons of shame. Even when we have repented, forgiven ourselves, and tried to move forward, others may use our past wrongs to attack or discredit us. This prayer calls on God to silence those voices, cancel their schemes, and grant freedom from every shadow of past mistakes that threatens the present.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
I bring before You the pain of my past and the shame that others still try to hold against me. Lord, I know that You have forgiven me and given me a fresh start, but there are those who constantly seek to remind me of what I once did. I pray, Father, that You silence every accusing voice that rises against me.
Scatter those who wish for my downfall and confuse every plan designed to destroy me. Cancel the ambitions of anyone who uses my past mistakes to stain my present or future. Let their schemes come to nothing, and let them be caught in the traps they have set for me.
Lord, help me to stand firm in the truth of Your forgiveness. Remind me daily that my identity is no longer defined by past sins, but by Your grace. Let my past serve as a testimony of Your mercy, not as a weapon against me. Grant me peace, freedom, and the courage to move forward without fear.
Amen.
Prayer against shame at work
The workplace can be a place of fulfilment but also a place where shame lurks. Whether through scandals, false accusations, or temptations that lead to disgrace. This prayer seeks God’s protection over one’s career, integrity, and reputation, asking Him to sanctify the workplace and guard against traps that could result in dishonour.
Prayer:
Father,
I lift up my workplace and career before You, asking for Your covering over every aspect of my work life. Protect me from actions, temptations, or plots that could bring shame or disgrace. Guide my steps in wisdom and integrity, and let Your light shine through my conduct.
Lord, shield me from immorality, dishonesty, and the temptation to take shortcuts. Keep me from being implicated in scandals, lies, or false accusations. Guard me against theft, corruption, or any unethical act that could tarnish my name. Sanctify my workplace with Your presence so that evil cannot prevail against me.
Bless the work of my hands, O Lord, and let my labour be fruitful. Help me to honour You in my diligence, fairness, and honesty. Grant me favour with colleagues, employers, and clients, so that my reputation reflects integrity and not shame. Let every trap set against me fail, and cause me to rise in strength and glory.
Amen.
Prayer against shame in family
Families carry not only individual reputations but also collective honour. One person’s mistake can bring shame upon all, while blessings can also uplift the whole family. This prayer asks God to protect the family name, bless each member, and ensure that the legacy left behind is one of honour, love, and respect.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
I bring my family before You today, asking for Your divine protection and favour. Surround us with Your grace and keep us from shame or disgrace. Father, let every plan of the enemy against our household be destroyed before it can take root. Cover our family name with Your glory and let it be known for honour, kindness, and love.
Guard each member of my family, young and old, from making choices that would tarnish our name. Help us to live in unity, integrity, and godliness. Let our home be a place of light, where Your Spirit dwells, and may our legacy be remembered for generations to come as one that glorifies You.
Lord, let no disgrace or evil report be associated with us. Protect us from lies, envy, and schemes meant to bring us down. Instead, let blessings flow in our family, and may our name carry respect wherever it is mentioned.
Amen.
Prayer against shame at school
Schools and institutions can be environments where reputation is easily stained. Mistakes, scandals, or bad choices can quickly bring shame that lingers for years. This prayer seeks God’s protection over one’s education, reputation, and integrity, asking for strength to resist temptations and remain focused on excellence and honour.
Prayer
Father Lord,
I commit my education and school life into Your hands. Bless me with wisdom, focus, and strength to remain diligent in my studies and faithful in my conduct. Protect me from trouble, scandals, or any form of disgrace that may arise among peers or authorities.
Keep me away from cheating, dishonesty, or the temptation to cut corners. Guard me from peer pressure that could lead me into harmful behaviours. Help me to maintain a clean reputation, free from false accusations or actions that bring dishonour.
Surround me with good friends, teachers, and mentors who will guide me in the right direction. Let my schoolwork be a testimony of discipline and integrity. Lord, let my education bring pride to my family and honour to Your name. Preserve my dignity, and may my academic journey be one filled with growth, achievement, and Your blessing.
In Jesus’ holy name,
Amen.
Disgrace and shame are burdens none of us desire to face. We would all prefer to live quietly, with peace, dignity, and the respect of those around us. Yet, because of the brokenness and evil in the world, there will always be people who seek to profit from the suffering of others, even if it means causing public humiliation.
A senior official once trusted his closest friends to keep a compromising video private, only to lose his career and reputation when it was leaked. Whether it was betrayal, greed, or revenge that drove them, the damage was devastating. Sadly, this is the reality of the world we live in, betrayal can come from colleagues, friends, or even family.
In such moments, our greatest security is drawing near to God. Only He can keep us from drowning in shame, heal the wounds of betrayal, and restore what has been lost. He is our refuge in times of disgrace and our Redeemer when the world turns against us.
“May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.”
—Psalm 35:4
