We come before the Lord with a heavy heart, lifting up your friend who is entangled in a web of deceit, believing his own lies. The Bible warns us in Proverbs 12:22, "Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight." It is clear that this behavior is not pleasing to God, and it grieves us to see someone so lost in falsehood.
First, we must address the urgency of salvation. Your friend’s soul is at stake, and it is only through the name of Jesus Christ that he can be saved. Acts 4:12 tells us, "There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved." We pray that the Holy Spirit will convict him of his sin and draw him to repentance. Without Christ, he is lost, and his deception is a symptom of a heart that does not know the truth of God’s Word.
We rebuke the spirit of deception that has taken hold of him. In John 8:44, Jesus says of the devil, "He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of lies." This spirit of lying is not of God, and we command it to leave in the name of Jesus. We pray that your friend’s eyes would be opened to the destructive nature of his sin and that he would turn away from it.
We also recognize the pain and frustration you must feel as you witness this behavior. It is difficult to watch someone you care about persist in sin, especially when you have shared God’s truth with them. But remember, Proverbs 27:6 says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; although the kisses of an enemy are profuse." You have been a faithful friend by speaking the truth, even when it was not received well. Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season, you will reap if you do not faint (Galatians 6:9).
We pray that God would soften your friend’s heart and break the hardness that has taken root. Ezekiel 36:26 says, "I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh." Lord, we ask that You do this for him. Replace his heart of stone with a heart that is tender toward You and Your Word.
We also lift you up in prayer, asking that God would give you wisdom and discernment in your interactions with your friend. It is possible to maintain contact without enabling his sin. Proverbs 13:20 tells us, "One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." Be cautious not to be drawn into his deception, but instead, continue to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up this young man who is lost in a web of lies. Lord, we ask that You would break the power of deception in his life. Open his eyes to see the truth of Your Word and the destructiveness of his sin. Convict him of his need for a Savior, and draw him to repentance. We pray that he would come to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, for there is no other name by which he can be saved.
Father, we also pray for our sister in Christ who has brought this request before You. Give her strength, wisdom, and discernment as she navigates this difficult relationship. Help her to speak the truth in love and to set boundaries that honor You. Protect her heart from discouragement and give her hope as she trusts in Your faithfulness.
Lord, we rebuke the spirit of lying that has taken hold of this young man. We command it to leave in the name of Jesus, and we pray that Your Holy Spirit would fill him with truth and righteousness. Soften his heart, Lord, and give him a hunger for Your Word. May he come to know the freedom that is found only in Christ.
We ask all these things in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.