An old friend with some problems

[Gabrielman]

Please pray for a friend of mine, he is having issues in life and really needs God right now. He is having trouble getting a job, and he is backsliding from faith and wants to be stronger in the Lord, but keeps getting drawn into sin and being tempted by friends. I have been talking to him a lot and he says he wants to be closer to God and not be the way he is, he just doesn't know where to start. He has been like this for a while, he will start to do better and then he falls into this spiritual pit. Things weren't always like this though, but now... let's just say, a "male" problem has gotten hold of him, and his life is just being torn to shreds. Please pray for him, and help me with him, I feel God wanting me to keep talking with him, but I just don't know how to help, especially being this far from him physically. He is my best male friend and we have been through a lot together and it hurts to see him like this. I will not say what he has been doing, or his name, out of respect for his privacy please just pray that God helps him out.
Thanks to all who will.

If you would like to know more, or if you have any advice I can send his way, pm me.

God Bless.

[DannyM]

Please pray for a friend of mine, he is having issues in life and really needs God right now. He is having trouble getting a job, and he is backsliding from faith and wants to be stronger in the Lord, but keeps getting drawn into sin and being tempted by friends. I have been talking to him a lot and he says he wants to be closer to God and not be the way he is, he just doesn't know where to start. He has been like this for a while, he will start to do better and then he falls into this spiritual pit. Things weren't always like this though, but now... let's just say, a "male" problem has gotten hold of him, and his life is just being torn to shreds. Please pray for him, and help me with him, I feel God wanting me to keep talking with him, but I just don't know how to help, especially being this far from him physically. He is my best male friend and we have been through a lot together and it hurts to see him like this. I will not say what he has been doing, or his name, out of respect for his privacy please just pray that God helps him out.
Thanks to all who will.

If you would like to know more, or if you have any advice I can send his way, pm me.

God Bless.

Gab, does he like reading? Put some quality books his way. We all slide back; what really matters is moving forward again. The Lord will look favourably on a trier. It's important not to feel too much guilt when we falter, as guilt can lead to self-loathing and negativity. I pray that your friend will bounce back. I think it is somewhat of a process which leads us to the Lord: we stumble and fall, then we bounce back. The falls eventually become less and we find ourselves bouncing back more often and with greater ease. Testify, for sure, but also allow him to find his way 'naturally,' in his own time and in his own way...Strike the balance between the two...

God bless

[Gabrielman]

Gab, does he like reading? Put some quality books his way. We all slide back; what really matters is moving forward again. The Lord will look favourably on a trier. It's important not to feel too much guilt when we falter, as guilt can lead to self-loathing and negativity. I pray that your friend will bounce back. I think it is somewhat of a process which leads us to the Lord: we stumble and fall, then we bounce back. The falls eventually become less and we find ourselves bouncing back more often and with greater ease. Testify, for sure, but also allow him to find his way 'naturally,' in his own time and in his own way...Strike the balance between the two...

God bless

Thanks for your reply Danny. He isn't into reading, but maybe he will start. He knows his condition, he was the one who told me that he was backsliding, he realizes it, yet he just keeps on in what he is doing, even though he says he wants to change... I don't know, it is hard to see a best friend, and someone who used to be so strong in the spirit struggle like this. I Know God will call him back, I am sure..... I just wish he wasn't having such a hard time and he wasn't being so down.... thanks for your prayers. If there is anything you could suggest for him to read, please let me know, I will tell him.

God Bless

[DannyM]

Thanks for your reply Danny. He isn't into reading, but maybe he will start. He knows his condition, he was the one who told me that he was backsliding, he realizes it, yet he just keeps on in what he is doing, even though he says he wants to change... I don't know, it is hard to see a best friend, and someone who used to be so strong in the spirit struggle like this. I Know God will call him back, I am sure..... I just wish he wasn't having such a hard time and he wasn't being so down.... thanks for your prayers. If there is anything you could suggest for him to read, please let me know, I will tell him.

God Bless

Gab, I used to be involved in all sorts of nonsense. I gradually became aware that what I was doing was not good. I came through it, but I still, from time to time, do wrong. But this happens so infrequently now and my discipline is, dare I say it, becoming so consistent that I wonder if I will ever stumble again. Your friend knows, and is aware that what he is doing is wrong and wants to be closer to God, and that's good news right there! Keep prodding gently and keep an eye on him, as I know you will since you care about him very much. He has a proper friend in you, and I hold good hope that he will see it through.

I'll give you a few books that helped me, were not too intense for me at the time and contain much that is quite profound:

Alister McGrath, Dawkins' God: Genes, Memes, And The Meaning Of Life. Brilliant book, easy to read, and demolishes Dawkins' "memes".

Dinesh D'Souza, What's So great About Christianity. Again, brilliant! Demolishes many atheistic/scientific misconceptions. Humourous also.

John Cornwell, Darwin's Angel: An Angelic Riposte To The God Delusion. Gentle, methodical, funny reality-check for those who make claims way beyong their remit.

I'm not sure if these will help, Gab. But I hope they do. They're easy reading, enlightening and entertaining. I've avoided suggesting books that might 'do his head in' if he's not a great reader...

God bless