Prayer for Healing from Jealousy

In a world where material wealth and professional success serve as benchmarks for happiness, jealousy leads to sadness and anger at the good fortune of others. When jealousy becomes overwhelming, it leaves a trail of destruction and broken relationships. What jealousy fails to recognize, however, is that all gifts are distributed by God according to His omniscient wisdom.

The Fathers of the early Church studied envy and jealousy extensively, as seen in the story of Abel’s murder by Cain in the book of Genesis and in Nathan’s parable in the book of Samuel. Around 252, Saint Cyprian of Carthage wrote a treatise titled Jealousy and Envy, in Latin De zelo et livore. Livore is a concrete word that refers to a bruise, a mark on the skin from a blow. Envy is like a bruise on the soul. “You are better than me, you have everything I don’t, and I hate you for it.” Envy is an ugly, shameful, unacceptable feeling. For Saint Augustine, it reeks of sulfur—it’s the devil himself. The feeling of envy is followed by a host of hideous siblings: hatred, gossip, slander, joy at another’s misfortune, displeasure at the prosperity of others. In short, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a Christian must be wary of jealousy and envy as one would of a plague. Saint Gregory of Nyssa, along with Saint Gregory the Great, identified envy as one of the seven deadly sins, calling it the head of all other sins, taking center stage in the vice.

Brothers and sisters, have you ever wanted something that wasn’t yours? Have you ever desired what someone else possesses, to the point of wishing they didn’t have it? Or, because they have what you lack, it consumes your thoughts, and the more you think about what they have and what you don’t, the more bitter you become? Have you been jealous—jealous of someone else’s possessions, talents, relationships, or even their spirituality? Often, we are more aware of our anger or dishonesty, knowing that we sin. But when was the last time you seriously thought about jealousy and the damage this sin causes in your life? Reflect deeply before saying, “No, that’s never happened to me.” The prayer we want to offer to God for deliverance from jealousy and envy will only be effective if you acknowledge and recognize who you are.

More often than not, the envious person cannot measure up to the one they envy. They know it, and it makes them sick. The jealous person wonders what the other has that they lack. They feel superior, more deserving of love, yet they are less loved—and this also makes them sick. But they never want to admit it, and their suffering is twofold. Yet, when jealousy takes root in our hearts, it can cause all kinds of problems like bitterness, stress, and anger. Jealousy can lead to stealing, gossip, hurting someone, and even murder. Jealousy is what led Cain to kill his own brother. Cain was jealous that God had blessed Abel’s sacrifice. Jealousy led to anger, and anger led to murder. Cain allowed this progression in his heart because he refused to live for God. He wanted God to bless him on his terms, and God did not do so.

Learning to manage jealousy often reveals that the true source of your anger is not the person you envy. Many realize their underlying issues are related to themselves. “Your greatest enemy is yourself,” says ancient Chinese wisdom. If you recognize that you suffer from jealousy, know that your worst enemy on the path ahead is yourself—the wall that holds you back is your own construction. One way to control jealousy is by building self-confidence. One of the main causes of jealousy is insecurity. You feel uncertain, unhappy, and fear that you will never receive the recognition you deserve. If you find yourself in this situation, Saint Peter addresses you directly in his epistle, 1 Peter 4:8: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Secondly, releasing your emotions is a sure and effective way to overcome these gnawing fears. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” This is a happy way to ease sadness when we can feel the unconditional love of our Father. Finally, examine your emotions. Often, underlying fears, frustrations, and depression play a role in the intensity of jealousy. Patience is essential in overcoming jealousy. Habakkuk 2:3 says, “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” So let us pray for your deliverance.

Let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, You know that our emotions play a major role in shaping our actions. Today, I ask that You help me control my emotions when they arise. May anger, hatred, jealousy, malice, and pride be replaced by Your warm and comforting love, peace, tranquility, and compassion. Today, I commit to acts of kindness toward others. As Your apostle Paul said in Romans 7:19, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” I know how much I suffer from the success of my neighbors. I know how sick I feel when some of my friends are promoted. I am deeply vexed when the children of my siblings perform better in school than mine. I am completely devastated by any achievement that is not mine. The pain I feel is excruciating and subjects my being to a slow but certain ruin. I believe You alone can lift me up and end my total disintegration. Father of mercy, my heart is moved by these dark days when my life was only filled with sadness and cruel lies. I was under the grip of jealousy and envy, never satisfied, nor grateful for what I had. Lord, I thank You for opening my eyes to see the greatness of Your love. Your love awakens my awareness to Your blessings, inclines my mind to rejoice in what I have and what I do not, binds me to Your will, not my own, and teaches me to be content with all Your plans for me. Your love leads me to care for my inner perfection and not to worry about that of others. I thank You because You are already at work, freeing me from this vile bondage that suffocates me. I thank You because Your Spirit is opening my mind and my whole being to experience the grace of true freedom in You. I pray for the deliverance of all those who suffer from jealousy and envy, who seek healing, and who refuse to admit it but are inextricably bound. You who have untied the knots of many throughout the centuries, set me free now from the illness of jealousy and envy, through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Kinda