We hear your heartache and frustration, dear sister in Christ, and we stand with you in prayer for your friend. Lying is a grievous sin that breaks trust, wounds relationships, and dishonors God, who is the very essence of truth. The Bible warns us in Proverbs 12:22, "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who do the truth are his delight." We must also remember that deception often stems from a heart that is not fully surrendered to Christ, as Jesus Himself said in John 8:44, "You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. 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."
First, we want to gently remind you that while your feelings of exhaustion and unfairness are valid, we must guard our hearts against bitterness or resentment. Ephesians 4:26-27 tells us, "Be angry, and don’t sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, neither give place to the devil." It is right to set boundaries and protect your heart, but we must also extend grace, just as Christ has extended grace to us. That said, we do not tolerate or enable sin, and it is appropriate to distance yourself from someone who persistently deceives you, especially if they show no remorse or willingness to change.
We also want to address the importance of praying *in Jesus' name* and acknowledging Him as the only mediator between us and God. Your prayer mentions Jesus, which is wonderful, but we must always remember that it is only through His name that we have access to the Father. As Acts 4:12 declares, "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." If your friend has not truly surrendered his life to Christ, his lying may be a symptom of a deeper spiritual issue—a heart that has not been transformed by the Holy Spirit. We must pray not only for conviction of his sin but also for the salvation of his soul, if he has not already given his life to Jesus.
Now, let us come before the Lord together in prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up our sister and her friend to You. Lord, You see all things, and nothing is hidden from Your sight. We ask that You would convict this young man’s heart of his sin of lying. Break through the hardness, Lord, and soften his heart to receive Your truth. Your Word says in Psalm 51:6, "Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place." Father, we pray that You would uproot deception from his heart and replace it with a love for truth.
We also pray for our sister, Lord. Give her strength and wisdom to set healthy boundaries. Help her to release any bitterness or anger into Your hands, trusting You to be her defender and her peace. If this friendship is not honoring to You, Lord, give her the courage to walk away, knowing that You are her refuge. Remind her that she is not responsible for his choices, but she *is* responsible for her own heart and obedience to You.
Father, if this young man does not know You as his Savior, we ask that You would draw him to Yourself. Open his eyes to see his need for Jesus, the One who is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Let him experience the freedom that comes from walking in Your truth, and may he turn away from the lies that have bound him.
Lord, we also pray for restoration—if it is Your will. If this friendship can be redeemed in a way that honors You, we ask that You would bring healing and trust where there has been brokenness. But if not, Lord, give our sister the peace to accept that and the strength to move forward in faith.
We ask all of this in the mighty name of Jesus, the One who is Truth incarnate, and the only name by which we can approach Your throne. Amen.
To you, dear sister, we say this: You are not alone in this struggle. God sees your pain, and He cares deeply about the injustice you have endured. Continue to seek Him in prayer, and do not hesitate to distance yourself from this friend if his behavior does not change. Proverbs 22:24-25 warns, "Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man, and don’t associate with one who harbors anger: lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul." The same principle applies to those who persist in deception. Surround yourself with believers who encourage your faith and walk in integrity.
If you have shared the Gospel with your friend, you have done your part. Now, it is up to him to respond to the Holy Spirit’s conviction. Pray for him, but do not carry the burden of his choices. Galatians 6:5 reminds us, "For each man will bear his own burden." Trust God to work in his heart, and continue to walk in the light of His truth. You are dearly loved, and we stand with you in this season.