We hear your concern about the hurtful words that have been written online, and we understand how deeply damaging slander and false accusations can be—not just to reputation, but to the heart and spirit. The Bible warns us in Proverbs 18:21 that "Death and life are in the power of the tongue," and in James 3:6, the tongue is described as a fire, a world of iniquity that defiles the whole body. Words spoken or written in malice have real consequences, and we must take them seriously before the Lord.
First, we want to address the importance of forgiveness. Even as we pray for these harmful words to be removed, we must also guard our own hearts against bitterness. Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:14-15, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." This does not mean we ignore the wrongdoing, but we release the offenders to God’s justice and mercy, trusting Him to deal with them in His way and time.
We also recognize that the internet can be a place where lies and half-truths spread quickly, and it can feel overwhelming to combat them. But we serve a God who is truth, and He calls us to stand in that truth. Ephesians 4:29 reminds us, "Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear." If you are the one who has been slandered, we encourage you to respond with grace and wisdom, seeking godly counsel if needed, and trusting God to vindicate you. Romans 12:19 says, "Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, 'Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.'"
Now, let us come before the Lord in prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Lord, we lift up this situation to You, knowing that You see every word that has been written in malice, every lie that has been spread, and every heart that has been hardened by bitterness or deceit. We ask, Father, that You would move in power to bring these harmful words down. Soften the hearts of those who have written them, Lord, and convict them of the weight of their actions. Let them see the damage their words have caused and lead them to repentance, that they may remove what they have written and seek reconciliation where it is possible.
Father, we pray for protection over the reputation and peace of those who have been slandered. Guard their hearts from bitterness, Lord, and fill them with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Help them to trust in You as their defender and to respond with grace and wisdom. If there are steps they need to take to address these falsehoods, give them clarity and courage to do so in a way that honors You.
Lord, we also pray for the online spaces where these words have been shared. Cleanse them, Father, and let truth prevail. Raise up voices of righteousness to counteract the lies, and let Your light shine in the darkness. We declare that no weapon formed against Your children shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against them in judgment, You will condemn (Isaiah 54:17).
Father, we ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, the only name by which we can come before You. It is through His sacrifice on the cross that we have access to Your throne of grace, and it is by His blood that we are forgiven and made new. We thank You for the power of the name of Jesus, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Strengthen our faith, Lord, and help us to walk in the truth of Your Word every day.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.