An alternative for the future in case you decide you don't want to say you'll pray is to tell someone they're in your thoughts. A lot of Christians assume this means you're praying for them anyways.
Either way, like I've said in other threads, lying isn't bad or immoral. A lot of times the reason you are lying or whatever you're hiding is bad or immoral. The lie itself isn't the problem. So if you tell a lie that makes a friend feel better and doesn't do anyone any harm, there's nothing wrong with that.
Also, lying about prayer isn't really much of a lie imo. The result is exactly the same whether you actually pray or not.
Either way, like I've said in other threads, lying isn't bad or immoral. A lot of times the reason you are lying or whatever you're hiding is bad or immoral. The lie itself isn't the problem. So if you tell a lie that makes a friend feel better and doesn't do anyone any harm, there's nothing wrong with that.
Also, lying about prayer isn't really much of a lie imo. The result is exactly the same whether you actually pray or not.
