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Don't know what to title this - 10/13/2009 6:19:15 PM
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ladyichigo
Posts: 149
Joined: 10/23/2007
From: Honolulu
Status: offline
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Hey fellow believers
I am in need of some wisdom.
For about 2 years now, I've been praying for a friend of mine in CA who has been struggling with her faith after an incident that occurred 5-6 years ago involving her and the ministry she was serving in at her church. She quit ministry and has been wandering, going to church on and off trying to find purpose. She's shared with me this past summer that she feels like everything she had in life, her relationships, her marriage, and her faith has been built on lies. She doesn't know what to believe anymore. She's shared that she no longer believes in the goodness of people, or in altruism, or in truly selfless compassion.
and that she no longer believes in a God who is good...to her, that is. He seems to like everyone else just fine (according to her).
She basically has started to embrace nihilistic ideologies.
I've been praying and asking the Lord to touch her, and to heal her, embrace her as she is broken. I've been asking for the Lord to reveal Himself to her in a way only she can understand and know that He is good and He is with her.
I feel she's at a point where I can no longer reach out to her. Because her extreme cynicism toward life, I can no longer discern her sincerity from her sarcasm. I don't know what or how to pray for her anymore, or if I should continue to keep praying prayers that seem to go unanswered. I have not seen, or heard any positive results regarding her faith. I know it's all in God's timing, and He's in control, but she's in a spiritual coma.
I'm beginning to wonder if God is purposely ignoring her, and my prayers? And if so, why? Why is He allowing one of His sheep to be in such a place?
And on top of all that, I feel like I am responsible for my friend's faith, when I know that I am not.
_____________________________
Mari
At the cross You beckon me. Draw me gently to my knees. I am lost for words, so lost in love, I'm sweetly broken, wholly surrendered.
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RE: Don't know what to title this - 10/13/2009 6:47:36 PM
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mvic
Posts: 1366
Joined: 1/17/2008
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We cannot live other people's lives for them. We can be there for them, we can help them, advise and try to influence them, pray for them - but we can't live their lives for them.
Your friend is in a particular place at this point in her life. God has allowed this to happen and, as you say, He is in control of the situation.
God has given her the free will to choose what to do and what to believe, or not believe.
Are you willing to give Him the freedom to act according to His will?
We often turn to God in prayer and soon our prayers become a list of demands and requests of what we want Him to do for us.
How about giving Him a free hand to do with us, and our loved ones, what He wants? Can we trust Him enough for that?
When we trust Him, and praise Him for being in control of whatever situation is on our mind, we somehow open a channel for His love and goodness to work in our lives and that of others.
The alternative to what I've just said is: If we ask Him for this and that whenever a situation occurs, we tie His hands to do things our way and not His.
So I suggest in your case that you hand over your friend to Him. Tell Him how you feel about her (just as you told us) and ask Him to deal with her according to His will; and that you trust Him whatever the outcome.
Be patient. Wait and see Him working things out. According to His will and in His own time.
God bless.
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
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RE: Don't know what to title this - 10/16/2009 10:06:45 AM
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CMT8808
Posts: 492
Joined: 9/4/2009
Status: offline
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Mari~
I agree with Mvic that your friend has Freewill and it is her choice to walk away from God.
However He has not forsaken her, and His word teaches us that when a Shepard loses one of his sheep, He locks up the 99 to find the one who is lost.
Your friend sounds she is going through a Prodigal moment, but in the son in the Prodigal had to come to his own conclusion of his error, yet in his return he feared chastisement, only to be received with open arms.
Allow your friend to her choice and allow the Lord to work on her heart. Emotional pain in any form takes time to heal. I believe because her hurts involved a church, she is somehow blaming and/or angry with God.
As her friend all you can really do at this point is keep her in your prayers.
You are not responsible for your friend and her decisions, she is an adult.
God bless you for caring about your friend
CMT
_____________________________
formerly Delete 123
Never Underestimate the Power of God
Romans 8:28, Proverb 3:5
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RE: Don't know what to title this - 10/16/2009 7:46:40 PM
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wawhoo73112
Posts: 124
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: ...darkness, into light...
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ladyichigo
Hey fellow believers
I am in need of some wisdom.
For about 2 years now, I've been praying for a friend of mine in CA who has been struggling with her faith after an incident that occurred 5-6 years ago involving her and the ministry she was serving in at her church. She quit ministry and has been wandering, going to church on and off trying to find purpose. She's shared with me this past summer that she feels like everything she had in life, her relationships, her marriage, and her faith has been built on lies. She doesn't know what to believe anymore. She's shared that she no longer believes in the goodness of people, or in altruism, or in truly selfless compassion.
and that she no longer believes in a God who is good...to her, that is. He seems to like everyone else just fine (according to her).
She basically has started to embrace nihilistic ideologies.
I've been praying and asking the Lord to touch her, and to heal her, embrace her as she is broken. I've been asking for the Lord to reveal Himself to her in a way only she can understand and know that He is good and He is with her.
I feel she's at a point where I can no longer reach out to her. Because her extreme cynicism toward life, I can no longer discern her sincerity from her sarcasm. I don't know what or how to pray for her anymore, or if I should continue to keep praying prayers that seem to go unanswered. I have not seen, or heard any positive results regarding her faith. I know it's all in God's timing, and He's in control, but she's in a spiritual coma.
I'm beginning to wonder if God is purposely ignoring her, and my prayers? And if so, why? Why is He allowing one of His sheep to be in such a place?
And on top of all that, I feel like I am responsible for my friend's faith, when I know that I am not.
The prayer of the righteous availeth much...
So keep praying and interceeding for your friend.
Pray a "...Do whatever it takes Lord" kind of prayer  and keep trusting the Lord to work in her life.
And "No" - you are NOT responsible for your friend's faith, we have been commanded to pray for one another though, SO- you do your part, and wait and watch God do HIS part 
And lastly,
Hebrews 12:27 NIV
The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
Perhaps the Lord is "shaking" the things which she has built up on HIS foundation, in order that they be removed and that she will soon be able to build again ---- and with such things of which shall never be shaken away?
Do not give up hope, but keep praying sister!
Luke 18:
1.Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
2.He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men.
3.And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
4."For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men,
5.yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' "
6.And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says.
7.And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off ?
8.I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
Hope this helps, Bob~
_____________________________
B  B
...Within our willing obedience, His will is worked through us...... and where His will is done.....there has His kingdom come........
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RE: Don't know what to title this - 10/17/2009 12:32:48 AM
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pinkbow
Posts: 10
Joined: 9/18/2008
From: USA
Status: offline
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I know it's hard to leave this up to God, but that's all you can do. Keep praying, watching, and waiting to see what He does.
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RE: Don't know what to title this - 10/19/2009 3:54:16 PM
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ladyichigo
Posts: 149
Joined: 10/23/2007
From: Honolulu
Status: offline
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Thank you everyone for encouragement and for the wisdom.
I will continue to pray for her and let God do His thing in her life.
_____________________________
Mari
At the cross You beckon me. Draw me gently to my knees. I am lost for words, so lost in love, I'm sweetly broken, wholly surrendered.
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RE: Don't know what to title this - 10/20/2009 1:33:50 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 2070
Status: offline
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quote:
She's shared that she no longer believes in the goodness of people, or in altruism, or in truly selfless compassion.
and that she no longer believes in a God who is good...to her, that is.
Mari,
To me, it sounds like your friend is on a wonderful path. The Lord has to strip away all the false supports so that we rely fully and trust only in Him. Your friend is in the stripping process. Believe for her! It is only when we are stripped with nothing and no one to depend on, that we fall at His feet, naked and willing. So just believe for this dear one, that the Lord is doing a mighty work in her and for her and He will not fail! He cannot fail! Greater is HE you know! Stand in the gap for your friend. Build up the wall. Pray on and watch. And listen for the sounds of Victory! Bless ya, LL
_____________________________
Liveloved
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Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
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