Unsure of the subject

[Gods_Cowgirl]

I decided to put this in here because I did want some advice and encouragement and what other people thought... maybe.... Even though this could have very well gone in either mature interests, prayer request, or maybe daughters and sons of Christ.

To make this a VERRRYY LOONNG story short, there ARE others that I’d like to pray for in this scene, but there’s one of them that particularly stands out.... Only because of another certain reason.

I have a friend, that’s a guy, or my so-called friend.... we’re supposedly still friends, I asked him the other night all cuz I was confused and he said we still were on myspace.

(I told you this was going to be short and I‘m getting side-tracked like I always do and was starting to make it the long way)

I went to his house the other night and of course he had some “friends” - buddies over plus his girlfriend. They were of course smoking and getting high. I was told that the cops were watching his house sometimes now.
My whole point to this thread is that I know he’s father from God than I am right now, and I’m still having some problems too, but I’m just longing for him to change to the person that God would like him and designed him to be. I’ve just been trying to pray just specifically for him today because it’s hurting me and I miss our friendship!!! My heart and mind is hurting also because I miss the times we’ve had with our friendship. I don’t even think he loves the one he’s with right now (but that’s my opinion) I think he’s just with her because she’s the only other “hot” option that would also do stuff with him and he likes her but I don’t think he really actually Loves her like I know he still loves his ex, in which I’m friends with. And I’ll know a bit more, hopefully when I really get the chance to talk to him and he’s being serious about it with me, and he wont feel under pressure.
So now that you know a little bit about the situation, before I forget, (I was even trying to pray for him while being there while they were all getting high becuz I thought it‘d help do something? But I cant multi-task very well.) so I’m asking: what is it that I can pray for him about? Is it what comes to my mind? How do I help him? How can I pray for him to stop doing whatever it is that he’s doing and how do I know what to pray for?

I mean I know that I’ll need to pray for my own patience for this cuz I know it certainly wont change anything over night!!! It may take a couple years actually, but then I’ll feel like I’m getting no where!!!!?? : (

How do I know if it’s changing anything? How do I know that God IS helping and that He IS there??? AND listening to my cries???

[worshipHim]

wow sister... that is a really rough situation.... and I have been where your friend has been. Last year I use to get high and smoke all the time, going to parties, having a boyfriend who was a total pothead. I had a fun time but there was still this void something was missing (I know your friend feels it because everyone in that boat always does) that because we are rebelling from God we chose to ignore that the void in our hearts is not loving God. But I think that it is like one of those valley experiences. After one really rough close call where the cops almost caught us I quit. I came back to Christ this was all over the course of 9 months. Now I know during this time my christian friends (that knew of my sin) stopped calling and hanging out with me... but they were praying hard core. Those that did not know that my sins were that serious spoke words from the Bible and refreshed my memory. (sorry this is getting long) But after that brutal awakening... my friends welcomed me with open arms. It hurt at first when they weren't there for me while I was sinning but i know they were following what God says(somewhere about if your brother is in sin confront and then leave your friend in sin or something?) and I understand why completly. God will use him later on to witness to someone else. Like he uses me to witness to others.
Consider the prodigal son Luke 15:11-32- Your friend will come back... and God will welcome him with open arms.
Just pray for a rude awakening. Pray that God would watch over and protect him. Pray that he would come back to Christ. Pray that you could be strong and be a bold influence on him that you would speak words of love and wisdom to him. Pray that he would get on his knees and cry out to God.
I will be praying too!
God Bless
~Chelsey

[FrozenMushroom]

I haven't quite figured out how to quote multiple spots in a message yet so i'll have to do it the hard way. You asked "what is it that I can pray for him about? " You can pray for him about anything and everything. Phil 4:6 tells us we can pray for anything. 1 Peter5:7 tells us to "give all our worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you," as does Psalm 55:22. James 1:5 tells us God will not resent us asking for anything. There is countless scripture in the bible that tells us about prayer. You can pray for him about anything, if he has a drug problem, pray for that, if he is sexually immoral, pray for that, if he has a hard heart, pray for that, etc.....You may word it anyway you want, God will understand, just say what you truly feel, be honest. Remember to pray the right way though, read Philippians 4:6,1 Thessalonians 5:17, Matthew 18:3. These are 3 of many spots were scripture shows us how to properly pray, read them to make sure you are praying properly. The Lord's prayer is an example prayer (Mat 6:9-13). It is very important that you pray for the Lord's will to be done in his life (more on this later).

"Is it what comes to my mind?" Sure, a lot of times it can be, but just be carefull and check whatever comes to your mind with the scripture to make sure it comes from the Spirit and not from satan.

"How do I help him?" You can help him by praying earnestly for him, by letting him know you are there for him, by being a good Christian (glorifying Jesus) so when you try to witness to him and he looks at your life and they way you do things, how you handle things, the way you act, etc... he will be able to tell there is something diffrent and good about you. Remember, some people will never actually pick up a Bible, you could be the only Bible he ever reads, and the way you are, things you say, way you act, the fruits you bear will all have a tremendous impact on him. Don't look like a hypocrite (Matthew 7:3-5). Of course he needs to read the Bible, but he may never get that far if you are a bad witness of Christ. When you have a chance and your alone, like you said, be serious with him and tell him how much you are worried about him, gradually point out some of the things in his life that are clearly bad and wrong, and begin to show him steps he can take to correct them. Keep it mind repentance is a slow process, so don't expect changes instantly, although it is possible to see some very quickly. Just don't push to much to fast and make him feel uncomfortable. You can help him in many many ways, these are just a few to consider.

"How can I pray for him to stop doing whatever it is that he’s doing" Simply by asking God and knowning God is hearing your prayers. If i were to say "if he has this problem then say this in your prayer" and tell you exactly how to pray, it wouldn't be your own words and feelings and therefore might not be truly sincere and honest of exactly how you feel. Remember to, the Holy Spirit helps you pray by groanings that cannot be expressed in words (Romans 8:26), and also that God knows your heart (Romans 8:27), so he knows what you are trying to say.

"How do I know what to pray for?" Simple, you know what is wrong and right. Pray for the things you can clearly see in his life that are causing him to stumble, things you know are wrong. Pray for things you know he knows are wrong, things that he wants to give up but just can't seem to.

".....cuz I know it certainly wont change anything over night." Oh really? How do you know this? Prayer can be extremely powerfull. Not to mention, how do you know what God has in store for him that day, or the next day, or the day after that. Only God knows these things (James 14:13-17). Worshiphim in her post gives us a great example of how in ONE night when the cops almost caught them she quit and returned to Christ. It took ONE night to make her realize she needed to quit. Seeing the need to quit could possibly come to him in one night, but actually quitting can take a long time. But realizing the need to quit is very important. Many people can give testimonys of how one simple event in their life turned them to Chirst.

"How do I know that God IS helping and that He IS there??? AND listening to my cries???" You know this because in countless spots the Bible says he is always there, and will never forsake you. That if ask you shall receive, if you knock, the door will be opened (Mat 7:7) (Lk 11:9-10) . If you seek him, you shall find him (Deuteronomy 4:29-31). Yes God hears your prayers and cries, (Exodus 22:23) (Exodus 22:27) (Psa 34:15). These are but a few passages on the subject. You must have faith and believe what the Bible says, for you can read any book in the Bible, and it will assure you of these things. Remember, the Bible is truth, therefore everything it says is true, and you need to believe that (John 17:17).

"How do I know if it’s changing anything?" You might not know. There are simple/obvious ways you may notice, by seeing something change, you may notice he is more eager to listen to you, he might try talking to you about these things, you may see him trying to give things up. You might not see anything happen, but remember the Lord is always at work. One thing you must keep in mind is even though you may pray, ultimatley the Lord's will must be done in his life. The perfect example of this is Jesus himself, when he asked that the Lords will would be done (Matthew 26:39),(Mark 14:36),(Luke 22:42) and can also be seen in (Acts 21:14). Make sure you pray for the Lord's will to be done in his life, for God knows best. Trust in the Lord for he is faithful (Pslam 146:6), and be patient (Psalm 40:1). Also, just because you don't see anything happening, doesn't mean the Lord is absent. The book of Ester is a great example of this. It is the ONLY book in the Bible where worship, and most things pertaining to and including God are not mentioned. This book is used as a literacy device to show you that just because you may not see things happening doesn't mean the Lord is absent. In WW2 the Nazi's allowed the Jews to have Bibles, but they took this book out of the Bible for fear of the hope it would give to the Jews. Also remember to be persistent in prayer, regardless of whether or not you see any changes (Rom 12:12),(Eph 6:18),(Col 4:2). These could also be examples of appropriate ways to pray. I hope this helpled.

[Gods_Cowgirl]

Thanks the 2 of you a bunch!! I'm not kidding. Both of you gave really good advice! and encouragement. It did help me!
Wish I could stay and write out some more right now, but I have to get ready for class.

TTYL and Thanks So Much again!!!!

[E] [D] [i] [T] [i] [N] [G] *

I don't know what to say, but i just wanted to update on the situation. Basically, if he's gonna change or if God can heal him with whatever is his problem and can change him, it's going to take A LOT of PRAYING PRAYING, PRAYING!!!! And believeing in God that he Will help change a person!

I kinda did get "alone time" with my friend... but it didn't really do anything. I did however, made sure that i told him that i was really worried about him and that he was different b/c he had changed so much - in what he did nowadays and what he cared about.

Then i talked to my other guy friend on the phone, he said that the "friend" who i'm talking about, said that i was ugly and that i wanted him "in me" really badly. i was like, ok, nice to know that then!!

I don't know, all i know is that i just need to spend more time with God, quit worrying about my other so called friends, stop trying to hang out with them when they dont really just up and talk to me anyways. and He will bring me the right Christian, Godly friends oh so when His timing is just right!

[worshipHim]

All right you did the right thing. Now don't make the mistake I did... which it sounds like you aren't so that's good but.... don't ever give in. I'm serious. Once you start hanging out with them again, then you hang out with them when they are getting high and then before you know it your getting high. Be obedient to God... stay away from those friends... He will reward you with great things. And keep on praying for christian friends. God will provide and in the mean time I am here for you if you ever want to pm or talk or whatever... and i'll find you on facebook. You are doing awesome... ohh and as to what the guy said... yeah that is nasty hurtful things, but don't ever let it get to you. He is saying that because he doesn't know how to react to someone caring about him. He is all mixed up with all these different emotions. idk whatever you do ignore his comments.

[Gods_Cowgirl]

To Anyone Who May Possibly Read This::
I Have A Question.....

How can i possibly pray for my nonbelieving friends that i once knew?

I know that i can pray that they get closer to God somehow and that He protects and watch over them. and everytime they do something wrong that they somehow be triggered by God. But what else?? how else can i pray or what words can i say to make myself even believe that my prayer will working SOMETIME?!??!?? Scripture says we're not to pray with worried souls/hearts. and i'm trying so hard not to.

so if anyone could be of any help; thanks!

[FrozenMushroom]

You can pray about anything, from general to specefic, i.e. you can pray that the Lord's will be done in their life, or you could be specefic and pray about a specefic problem "big or small", that person has (be it drugs, sex, anger, etc...) or an issue going on in their life. No one should tell you exactly what to say for prayer is between you and God and should come from your heart. Remember that while you may not know what to say, the Holy Spirit is praying for you in ways that words cannot express (Rom 8:26). God knows what your trying to say.

to make myself even believe that my prayer will working SOMETIME?!??!??

Faith is the answer and key here. In this question you clearly show that you are doubting God, that He is either not listening to your prayers or that he is incapable of doing what you ask. We know this isn't the case. It is hard to see God in the life of others when you lack faith in Him in your own life. You must trust in the Lord, believe in Him, for you know He is good and full of compassion, love, and mercy. Take comfort in this, for by praying your are putting it in God's hands, and if you keep these things in mind, you know that God heres and understands you, and will answer. Ultimatley it is your friends decision to turn to God. The Bible tells us it is part of our job to get the Gospel out there but ultimatley the work lies in the Holy Spirit. In the end your friends must make the decision to acknowledge the "budge" of the Holy Spirit. We ourselves cannot bring anyone to God, that work lies in the Holy Spirit. You can pray for your friends, and it's great you do, but you must remember that ultimatley it is in God's hands and His will be done. Remember too that just because you don't see anything happening doesn't mean that God isn't at work. The Lord often works in ways we cannot understand, that is why it is so important to trust in Him and lean not on our own understanding (one of my favorite verses, Prov 3:5-6). You can only do so much, keep trying and praying, but in the end it's a matter of their decision and God's will.

Scripture says we're not to pray with worried souls/hearts. and i'm trying so hard not to.

What i believe it's trying to say here is to have faith (to trust and believe) in God, knowning that He is all powerfull and loves us, that He hears are prayers and will answer them. So we are to take great joy and satisfaction in this, for if we believe this, what do we have to worry about? For we know God can handle anything. We know that once we put our burdens and cares in God's hands He will deal with them; in His way. We may not always know exaclty how; or why He does it the way he does, but that is why trusting Him (which is the same as trusting the scriptures) is so important. We are only human and we all stumble, naturally we will pray to Him with worried hearts and souls. He tells us to cast our cares upon him (Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7) and to trust in Him and He will take care of it all. So many places the Bible speaks of trusting in God and how He will protect us, care for us, hold us up, deliver us, comfort us, bring us peace, answer our prayers, etc... The point here is to believe that God hears what you ask and the He will deal with it, just trust Him; so in this respect that is why we are not to pray with worried hearts and souls, it's a matter of faith. I hoped this help, and if i can be of further assistance please let me know.

P.S. I see you are feeling sick, i hope you feel better.

[AliveInHim]

Originally Posted by Gods_Cowgirl

To Anyone Who May Possibly Read This::
I Have A Question.....

How can i possibly pray for my nonbelieving friends that i once knew?

I know that i can pray that they get closer to God somehow and that He protects and watch over them. and everytime they do something wrong that they somehow be triggered by God. But what else?? how else can i pray or what words can i say to make myself even believe that my prayer will working SOMETIME?!??!?? Scripture says we're not to pray with worried souls/hearts. and i'm trying so hard not to.

so if anyone could be of any help; thanks!

There is precious little that is more painful that watching someone we love dearly -- be that friends or family -- reject God time and time again. We have to remember our own stories. All of us -- at one time or another -- have rejected God. We all had to choose to follow Christ. We all had to choose to turn our lives around and submit to the will of God rather than our own wills. All of us have come to that point in totally different ways. All of us have different journeys with different tough times that lead us to the SAME point -- a relationship with Christ. Always remember -- there is ALWAYS hope. Never lose that hope.

With prayer -- there is no special works to make it work "better" or "faster". Prayer is about taking things out of our hands and putting it into God's hands. I know it is a hard thing to deal with. My future father-in-law is not a Christian. I also have several friends that have either fallen away from the faith and rejected God a second time or they have never accepted him in the first place. I feel your pain. I really do.

In your prayers, tell God how you are feeling. Scream. Cry. Be angry at the situation because the situation is honestly angering and painful and frustrating and confusing. Don't let your emotions rule your life, but do not allow them to be completely suppressed either. Realize that Christ has felt the gamut of human emotions on the cross. If there is anyone that "gets it", he does. He has been angry, he has been frustrated, he has been sad, he has been lonely - think about it. Talk to someone that cares and understands completely. After all, it is a relationship with Him that they are rejecting in the first place. He gets it.

Personally, when I pray for my friends and family members that are not believers I think of and pray for the following things:

• Some people lose their faith in God or they never accept God because of their own pain in their lives. They have unanswered questions that no one seems to give answers for that give them ANY peace or hope. We should pray that if this is the case, that their pain is relieved and that they are given peace and hope through Christ. I pray that if God cannot give me the wisdom and answers for that person, that God give that person SOMEONE that does have the words to say that will comfort him or her.
• Many people don't want to follow Christ because they do not quite understand what it is. I always pray that those that have misconceptions -- that have misunderstandings -- will find the truth about the faith.
• I admit that I don't always have the right words to say to someone is in that person's life that will say the right words -- even if that person is NOT me.
• I pray that that person doesn't believe that they have to be perfect and THEN come to God. God takes us as we are -- when we are ready to just to give our lives over to him. It takes one step, and then the rest of it is in God's hands.

I know this is hard, but always -- ALWAYS -- keep hope.

Amanda