This post is part of a prayer challenge, 21 Days of Prayers For Your Friends. If you would like more information about the full challenge with daily email prayer guides, I invite you to find it here.
Once upon a time, I was hurt very badly by a friend, in a way that felt unfair and unkind.
And also in a way that made it pretty clear that she had no interest in remaining friends anymore.
I felt like she failed me in a big way.
It was painful, I must admit.
As much as I wanted to pull my shoulders back and raise my chin high and pretend like I was untouchable and unhurt-able, nothing could be further from the truth.
I wanted to lash out and defend myself and maybe even erase all the investment I had made in her and in us over the past few years.
But really, that would have been rather hypocritical of me.
Because guess what?
Some friendships end because of a single event – a blow-up of massive proportions that leaves destruction and rubble in its wake.
Others drift apart over time because the distance of miles or hearts cools the flames of affection that once burned hot.
No matter how they come to an end, broken friendships can be painful.
I have good news, though: when such heartache is sifted through the fingers of a loving Father, broken friendships can serve good purposes in our lives.
Let’s spend some time praying the Scriptures for broken friendships.
Prayers for a Broken Friendship
1. It is understandable and appropriate to grieve the loss of a close friendship. Thank the Lord for His promise to be near to the brokenhearted and to save the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18) Pour out your heart to God, and allow His comforting presence to be the balm your soul longs for.
2. Acknowledge to God that a person with many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24) Thank God that you have friendship with Him through Jesus Christ, and that there is no better Friend than He who will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
3. Praise the LORD God, your sunshine in the darkness and your shield from life’s blows; thank Him for the favor and honor He bestows. Agree with your good Father that He doesn’t withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11)
Thank God for His sovereignty in your life; He doesn’t cause every relationship breakup, but He’ll never waste one, either. Ask Him for eyes to see the good He has accomplished and will continue to accomplish through the removal of this friendship.
If appropriate, pray that the friendship would be restored if it would please Him and if it would be a good thing for you and for the one you called “friend.”
4. Pray that God would grant you His grace and help in putting all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander away from you, along with all malice. Pray that He would give you a kind and tender heart that is willing to forgive in the same way you’ve been forgiven by God (Ephesians 4:31-32).
5. Commit to the Lord that you will repay no one evil for evil, but will instead give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. Pray that as far as it depends on you, you will live peaceably with all, never avenging yourself, but allowing God to mete out any justice that’s due.
Pray that your former friend wouldn’t become an enemy, and that neither of you would be overcome by evil, but would rather overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21)
As the Lord leads, consider praying these prayers of blessing over this one who was once your friend.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the season of friendship You granted me with the person You placed on my heart today. It didn’t last as long as I thought it would, but it was a gift nonetheless, and so I praise You in spite of the pain of loss I still feel today.
Please shield me from the cords of bitterness that sometimes rear their ugly heads, and give me eyes to see the greater good that You have in store for me and for my friend as we continue life’s journey on separate paths.
Bless her, Lord, and provide for her every need and for mine, as well. It’s in the Name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, that I pray. Amen.
If you haven’t already done so, don’t forget to sign up for the rest of the prayer challenge! It will be a source of blessing in your life (and your friend’s life) as you continue to pray the Scriptures over her.
My friend and I just recently had a fallout. We also work together so it’s very uncomfortable and emotionally draining. I’m sad and I wish there could be reconciliation between us.
I’m so sorry to hear this, Sarah. I know this must be very painful, especially since you work with your friend and so there is no “escape.” I will pray for you and your friend, that God would allow reconciliation if possible.
I have a friend for over 5yrs…shes starting an unhealthy relationship with a guy (I tend like him he gives me gut feeling)…she didnt trust me with it and I felt betrayed and lied to…I forgave her but feel like thinks are weird and shes pulling away because of him…
When we first meat in new God placed her in my life…it just hurts and I’m scared we will fall apart…I dont want to lose her but I can not watch them together either as I know it’s wrong and I dont trust him…I hope God will restore our relationship, I work with them so its very painful…I dont know his will but if you can please pray for her…and for us
Hello, Jenna. Thank you for sharing your heart here. I will pray that the Lord would give you wisdom about how to proceed with this friend; that she would be delivered if indeed this is a bad relationship; and that, if it pleases Him, He would restore your friendship. Prayers also for your hurting heart. Hugs, friend!
I have a friend with whom I shared close friendship with… however things have changed since she have known new friends. I have no problem with that but I do feel that she’s pulling away from old friends while she seems to focus all her energy and time on a single new friend. I don’t know if she’s aware of it, but she has lost some old friends and is jeopardising some other friendships because of this. Not only do I feel heart broken for our broken friendship, I also feel sad and worried for her… it’s just not worth it to loose precious friends who genuinely care for her for a single one, yet she seems to be ignorant of this, and being reluctant to have conversations too. I’m praying that God will deliver her from this, and praying for God’s healing for broken friendships 😔
Hello, Jacqueline, and thank you for sharing your heart here. I’m honored to pray for you and for this friend, that God would work in each of your lives and that it might please Him to bring restoration between the two of you. Not all broken friendships are permanently severed; some just undergo seasons of distance. I will also ask our Father to comfort your broken heart. Psalm 34:18
I have a friend from last year. This year, she started being uncomfortable to me because she thinks some boys always disturb me but they’re my friends and they’re just kidding around. During Valentine’s Day of this year, I tried to propose to her during recess but she rejected me. Then I Cried. One of my friends told me that was the moment when she started hating me. He said that I’m ugly because many people wants to bully me, disturb me. Try don’t be like that. Also don’t make your annoying face. Try and change your personality, don’t believe in what people said so much, you’re so dumb. Don’t disturb her, that’s it. When people disturb you, don’t get mad. Being paitience is your only right. They’re just kidding around. I said that How i wanted to make her forgive me and he replied, one day. Just pray. I watched some animations about Lord Jesus and i cried. He said, “See? That’s the purpose why we live. Forgive and repent.” I said, Is there anyone else who hates me other than her? He replied of course, many. Next time don’t do that and then don’t disturb her. And thats the end. Man, I’m screwed up.
Hi, Tommy, and thanks for your message. I appreciate your desire to share your heart here. The world is a cruel place, full of people who don’t treat each other the way we should. I encourage you to focus on your relationship with God during this season of your life. If you’d like to know more about how to do that, you might find this article helpful. He loves you, and He created you for a specific purpose. Please know that I will be praying for you, asking God to help you know Him and love Him with all your heart and all your soul.
Its happen to me now. And i dont know what to do please help overcome this.
Hello, Leigh, and thank you for sharing this with me. I’m sorry to hear of the broken friendship in your life. Sometimes broken relationships can be mended, and other times, they can’t. Both people involved must want the relationship to be restored. I will pray for you and for your friend, asking God to soften each heart, and to grant a spirit of repentance and forgiveness where they are needed.
Hi Praise the lord
This might be very small intention fr but it hurts more
My friend we r friends from 4years .she belongs to hindu frm past 3years I am taking her to church and making her to sit in front of adoration
Got has done great things fr.but from 2 months she is not talking to me due to some misunderstanding and ego,and small fights ,please pray for us that we shld be in peace let God give her forgiving,kindness,ego,removing her from all negative people and thoughts mind to her to forgive please
she also trust in jesus i should call her back to church make to praise.
Hello, Rajesh, and thank you for taking the time to share your heart here. I’m honored to pray for you and your friend, asking the Lord to restore your relationship if that would please Him, and that He would help each of you to know Him, love Him, and serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.
All my life I have always wanted a sister and God finally blessed with me with a sister that’s more than a friend to me, and now our friendship is over I just don’t know what to do, I don’t want to get depressed again I really miss her so much, please help me pray she was my backbone and I feel so helpless about the situation
Hello, and thank you for sharing your heart here. I’m honored to pray for you, asking the Lord to restore your friendship if that would be His will. During this season, I encourage you to draw closer to God, asking Him to help you know Him, love Him, and serve Him with all your heart and all your soul. I will pray the same for you, asking Him to comfort you and give you His peace as you look to Him in faith.
I have been friends with someone named Kayla for 2 yrs. we met at a small group, we have texted a lot and gradually it became less and less. I have texted her to the point of overwhelming her, where she has stated she needed space to focus on school and herself, of her ignoring me. I am full of uncertainty now. I don’t know if I may have caused her to push me away. I care about our friendship, I don’t wish to do anything to destroy the friendship. It’s been a week and a half since I last spoke with her. I can’t stop thinking about this situation, it feels like it is tearing my heart, I want to reach out and apologize for being clingy, but am afraid it will cause her to push me away even further. I just don’t know what to do, I pray about this every night. I cry myself to sleep over this situation almost every night. I just wish she may forgive me if she hates me.
Hello, and thank you for sharing what’s on your heart. I’m sorry to hear of your heartache about this friendship that has become fragile. I will pray for you about this, asking God to give you comfort, wisdom, and the kind of unconditional love that will put the needs of others above yourself even when it’s painful to do so. Remember, that’s the kind of love Jesus demonstrated toward us on the cross (Romans 5:8), and I pray that it encourages you to remember how much you are loved by Him.
I recently lost the friendship of someone so very dear and precious to my heart. I felt God call me to reconcile so I reached out to do that. I can whittle his response down to “no”. I am shattered. I stumbled across this and also followed the link to pray for him.
I desire reconciliation, but only if it’s in God’s plans for the two of us.
If it’s not God’s plan, I pray that God helps me through this and that I can understand in time why.
I’m going to continue to pray for MY healing as well as pray for him using the prayers you have on the link to pray for friends because I only ever want the very best for him and for God to bless him.
You’re insight is right spot on. Thank you.
Hi, Sarah, and thank you for sharing your heart so transparently here. I’m sorry for this painful loss you’re experiencing; I have had a similar one, so I’m not unfamiliar with your heartache. I will pray for you, asking God to bring you His comfort and peace, and that the friendship would be restored if it’s His will. In the meantime, I will pray that His presence is especially near as you grieve.
After a month and a half of praying these prayers. Of praying for him, over him, for complete healing and restoration, my friend reached out to tell me that he misses me. There is a road ahead of us towards healing the rift, but the door is open between us again. I cannot thank you enough for even just once lifting us up in prayer. And for this page. These are my go to prayers for him, myself, my family and my friends. I will continue to pray these prayers and I will continue to pray that we are able to fully reconcile and heal and move forward with a stronger bond that will never be broken again. I just wanted to share this with you. Thank you!
Oh, Sarah, what an honor to first grieve with you and now rejoice with you. Praise the Lord for inclining His hear to our prayers! I will pray again for the mending of this relationship and that God would continue to draw you nearer to Himself through this season. Thank you for taking the time to share this answer to prayer with me.
I lost a friendship yesterday. For me she’s not only a friend but I treated her as my sister in Christ. We are both Christians and we did Bible study everyday. When she became my friend, I thought God answered my prayer to have someone who will be with me in my spiritual walk. Also, I treated this friendship as calling from the Lord to help her in her walk with God and to pray for her family. But two weeks ago, she suddenly changed. She has change in the way she treated me. Giving me cold shoulder and silent treatment. She’s not answering my messages and I felt the awkwardness everytime we’re together. She’s my boss at work and my business partner but now she stopped everything except for being her boss. She wanted us to be professional and she dont want to have personal relationship with me. She accused me to be someone that I am not. She accused me that I am taking her for granted and I am disrespecting her but I cant remember the time I did that, except for one incident last week that I decided to be silent because I was really tired understanding her. I was tired of thinking if I did something wrong. In fact, I asked her if there’s a problem that we have to discuss. But she told me there’s none and she’s only busy that’e why I understand her. I was trying to understand even I felt that there’s really something wrong. But then I decided to talk to her yesterday and she gave me a decision to end this friendship. I feel hurt and betrayed. Why is it so easy for her to cut me out of her life? Why she chose to say it to me in a way that it seems I never did anything good to her? And I cant forget her face and her look when she told me that. It looks like I did something very bad to her which I have no idea. And it’s hard that I have to see her in the office everyday and I have to talk to her for work related. Please pray for the healing of my heart and that the Lord will give me grace to always choose to forgive everyday.
Hi there, Esor, and thank you for sharing your heartache with us. I’m so sorry of the pain you’re experiencing, and I’m honored to pray for you, asking the Lover of your soul to bring comfort to you and that by His grace He would grant you a soft and forgiving heart.