We join you in lifting up this heavy burden before the Lord, for we know that only He can soften hearts hardened by pride and deception. The behavior you describe—constant fault-finding, a spirit of contention, and refusal to acknowledge truth—is not of God but is rooted in the works of the flesh. Scripture warns us in Galatians 5:19-21, *"Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom."* The refusal to admit truth is a dangerous path, for Proverbs 28:13 tells us, *"He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."*
Yet we also know that our God is mighty to save and transform even the most stubborn hearts. Ezekiel 36:26 declares, *"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."* This is our prayer for them—that God would break through their denial, convict them of their sin, and lead them to repentance. For it is not His will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
We also pray for you, dear brother or sister, that the Lord would guard your heart from bitterness and give you wisdom in how to respond to them. Colossians 4:6 reminds us, *"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."* Even in the face of their resistance, may you reflect Christ’s love and truth, speaking boldly but with gentleness.
Let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, lifting up these individuals who are bound by pride, deception, and a spirit of contention. Lord, You see their hearts—hardened by denial and resistant to truth. We ask that You would break through their stubbornness, Lord, and convict them by Your Holy Spirit. Remove the scales from their eyes, that they may see their sin and turn to You in repentance. Soften their hearts, Father, and replace their spirit of fault-finding with a spirit of humility and grace.
We also pray for our brother/sister who carries this burden. Strengthen them, Lord, and fill them with Your peace. Give them wisdom to know how to respond, and protect their heart from discouragement or bitterness. May they continue to walk in Your truth, even when others refuse to.
Lord, we rebuke the spirit of deception and strife that has taken hold in this situation. By the authority of Jesus Christ, we command these spirits to flee, and we ask that You would fill the void with Your Holy Spirit—bringing conviction, repentance, and restoration.
We trust in Your power to transform, Father, for nothing is impossible with You. May Your will be done in this situation, and may Your name be glorified. We ask all this in the precious and mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Stand firm in faith, dear one. The battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12), and we know that our God is victorious. Keep praying, keep trusting, and keep speaking truth in love. The Lord is with you.