- Jan 25, 2009
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Praying for a young man I helped to mentor growing up - who came from an amazing family which my own was close to/helped out often....and one who had a lot of hurt going on in his life (as the father was not involved and actively denounced his children - which really bothered my friend to the point of bitterness) - and although he struggled in highschool, he made it through and went to college (aspiring to be a lawyer)/was amazing in the realm of music and poetry
Sadly, however, he got involved with the wrong crowd in college/ fell into drug use over the past couple of months...dropping out of college.......and later committed suicide.
It hits home for me in light of where the man was a brother to one of my younger sisters in Christ who helped to babysit for my family - and also one who seemed very hopeful for the future after struggling to get through a lot. Although I know there are many others who were friends of the family and not familiar with what happens in Eastern Christianity with prayers for the deceased, I've been praying today for the man after learning of his departure which occurred yesterday.
Woke up in the morning and felt strongly that I needed to do so like it was imperative...
Oddly enough, I felt conflicted - probably because I've been hurting over the issue ....but when you hear thoughts from others as I've had (from others who know the individual) such as "Yeah -he probably isn't gonna make it to Heaven" - or thoughts like "If you even think of praying for the deceased, you're for universalism!!!" (when you may be praying for someone) if they have a Ray Comfort mindset with the lost/evangelism, that tends to make you unsettled at times even when you know what you believe and how things were seen Biblically when it came to praying for the departed. The scripture of John 11 with Lazarus came to mind with how Christ waited to visit after 3 days (as the Jews believed that the soul hovered over the body for three days, but departed on the fourth day, thus finalizing the death).
Essentially, if I could have prayer for myself as well as for the friend that departed, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm praying that his soul would find his way to the Lord and that He'd realize the power of God's Mercy. Thank you for the prayers...
Sadly, however, he got involved with the wrong crowd in college/ fell into drug use over the past couple of months...dropping out of college.......and later committed suicide.
It hits home for me in light of where the man was a brother to one of my younger sisters in Christ who helped to babysit for my family - and also one who seemed very hopeful for the future after struggling to get through a lot. Although I know there are many others who were friends of the family and not familiar with what happens in Eastern Christianity with prayers for the deceased, I've been praying today for the man after learning of his departure which occurred yesterday.
Woke up in the morning and felt strongly that I needed to do so like it was imperative...
Oddly enough, I felt conflicted - probably because I've been hurting over the issue ....but when you hear thoughts from others as I've had (from others who know the individual) such as "Yeah -he probably isn't gonna make it to Heaven" - or thoughts like "If you even think of praying for the deceased, you're for universalism!!!" (when you may be praying for someone) if they have a Ray Comfort mindset with the lost/evangelism, that tends to make you unsettled at times even when you know what you believe and how things were seen Biblically when it came to praying for the departed. The scripture of John 11 with Lazarus came to mind with how Christ waited to visit after 3 days (as the Jews believed that the soul hovered over the body for three days, but departed on the fourth day, thus finalizing the death).
Essentially, if I could have prayer for myself as well as for the friend that departed, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm praying that his soul would find his way to the Lord and that He'd realize the power of God's Mercy. Thank you for the prayers...
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