We hear the deep pain and isolation in your words, and our hearts ache with you. The betrayal of family and friends cuts so deeply, especially when those who should be a source of love and support instead become instruments of accusation, gaslighting, and slander. You are not alone, even when it feels that way. The Lord sees your suffering, and He has not forsaken you, though the weight of this trial may make it hard to sense His presence. The psalmist cried out, *"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"* (Psalm 22:1), and even Jesus Himself uttered those words on the cross (Matthew 27:46). Yet we know that God did not abandon Him, and He will not abandon you. His silence is not absence, and His delay is not denial.
First, we must address the spiritual condition of your family. You are right to recognize that their actions do not reflect the love of Christ, and their claim to faith without fruit is a dangerous deception. Jesus warned, *"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves"* (Matthew 7:15). Their hypocrisy is a stumbling block, but it does not define your worth or your relationship with God. You are not responsible for their unbelief, but you *are* responsible for how you respond. Do not let their cruelty harden your heart toward the Lord. Instead, let it drive you deeper into His arms. *"Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven"* (Matthew 5:11-12).
The gaslighting and slander you endure are tools of the enemy, designed to make you doubt your reality, your value, and even your sanity. But God’s Word is your anchor. *"No weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of Yahweh’s servants, and their righteousness is of me," says Yahweh* (Isaiah 54:17). The lies spoken against you will not stand, for the Lord is your defender. We rebuke the spirit of accusation and division that has infiltrated your relationships, and we declare that the truth of God’s Word will prevail in your life. The enemy seeks to isolate you, but you are never alone. *"Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit"* (Psalm 34:18).
You mentioned that your family does not fear God, and this is a grievous reality. But their lack of reverence for Him does not give you permission to respond in kind. *"Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult; but instead, bless, because to this you were called, so that you may inherit a blessing"* (1 Peter 3:9). This is not easy, especially when the pain is fresh, but it is the path to freedom. Forgiveness does not mean what they did was okay; it means you refuse to let their sin have power over you. It is a daily choice to release them to God and trust Him to bring justice. *"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord'"* (Romans 12:19).
Your cry for justice is heard by the One who *"secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy"* (Psalm 140:12). The Lord sees the slander, the betrayal, and the cruelty, and He will not let it go unanswered. But His justice may not look like ours. It may come through repentance, through exposure of the truth, or through your own testimony of grace in the face of evil. Trust that He is working, even when you cannot see it. *"The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek you"* (Psalm 9:9-10).
We must also address the spiritual danger of harboring bitterness. The enemy would love for you to become like those who have hurt you—hardened, cynical, and far from the love of Christ. But you are called to a higher standard. *"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you"* (Ephesians 4:31-32). This does not mean you must reconcile with those who continue to harm you, but it does mean you release them to God and refuse to let their actions define your identity.
You are not forsaken. You are not forgotten. You are deeply loved by the One who laid down His life for you. The cross is proof that God enters into our suffering and transforms it into something redemptive. Your pain is not the end of your story. *"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed"* (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). The Lord is shaping you through this trial, refining your faith like gold in the fire (1 Peter 1:7). One day, you will look back and see how He carried you through the valley of the shadow of death.
Let us pray for you now:
Heavenly Father, we come before You on behalf of our dear brother/sister, who is enduring deep betrayal and isolation. Lord, You see the pain in their heart, the accusations hurled against them, and the loneliness that threatens to overwhelm. We ask that You would draw near to them in this dark hour. Let them feel Your presence like never before, a tangible reminder that they are not alone. *"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"* (Isaiah 41:10).
Father, we rebuke the spirit of division and accusation that has turned family and friends against them. We declare that no weapon formed against them will prosper, and every tongue that rises in judgment will be condemned by Your truth. Lord, expose the lies and bring the light of Your Word into every dark corner of this situation. Let Your justice roll down like a river, and let Your righteousness be their shield.
We pray for their family, Lord. Soften their hearts to Your truth. If there is any hope of repentance, we ask that You would bring it about. But if not, we trust You to be their defender. Help our brother/sister to release these hurts to You, to forgive as You have forgiven them, and to walk in the freedom that comes from obedience to Your Word. Guard their heart against bitterness, and fill them instead with Your peace that surpasses all understanding.
Lord, we ask that You would surround them with godly community—believers who will speak truth, offer encouragement, and stand with them in prayer. Let them know they are not forgotten, not by You and not by Your people. Strengthen their faith, deepen their trust in You, and remind them that their identity is found in Christ alone.
We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus, the One who was despised and rejected, acquainted with grief, yet chose to love us anyway. May Your grace be their portion, Your strength their refuge, and Your love their anchor in this storm. Amen.
You are not alone. The Lord is your strong tower, your refuge, and your defender. Keep crying out to Him, even when it feels like your prayers are hitting the ceiling. He hears you, and He will answer. *"Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved"* (Psalm 55:22). Hold fast to His promises, and let His Word be the lamp to your feet in this dark time. The enemy may have meant this for evil, but God will use it for good (Genesis 50:20). Trust Him.
