Prayer request

[heart of peace]

Thank you to those of you who offered prayers and/or reached out to me in a PM about this situation. I do believe that prayer always helps

Basically, this woman is definitely in need of healing that only Christ can give. She was willing to come with me to a mom's group for spiritual fellowship that is centered on Jesus' teachings. She came once and hasn't returned again. She also misled me to believe she was a Christian who is anti-religion but still a believer of Christ (there are plenty of Christians like this in today's world). However, the truth (thankfully) has been revealed to me and she is a Buddhist. When I apologized to her for assuming she was Christian based on what we talked about, she explained that she calls herself a Christian Buddhist. She just doesn't think that Christ is THE way to eternity.

Anyway, I have decided to continue to be a vessel for Christ and show her what it means to live one's life with Christ as Lord and Savior over it. However, I am definitely wary that she deceived me so I have put in many more personal boundaries in our friendship (than I originally had in place). I believe that God has placed me in her life to love her in the way He loves her. It does not seem to be the 'sisterly' relationship I have been praying for ever since I moved to this area (a woman who is also a mom/wife experiencing similar things as me).

My relationship with my MIL, otoh, has been greatly affected by her irrational behaviors and outbursts towards me during this whole ordeal. I have intentionally pulled away from her due to her ridiculous treatment of this situation.

 

[All4Christ]

Just keep a wary eye on the situation. I had a friend who (at least with the surface details you gave me) seems very similar. She went to an Orthodox Bible study with me once - and went to Divine Liturgy with me once - and then I found out that she was lying in many many ways. I kept trying to be a supportive friend, as she desperately needed someone who could show her Christ's love and show her what faith in God should be - but eventually, the relationship between us pulled apart. I'm open to be there for her if she ever needs me - or accepts my help - but at the same time, I also need to watch out for my own spiritual well-being - as our friendship ended up hurting my spiritual walk as well.

Talk to your priest - and keep the situation in prayer. You, your son, your friend, and her child will all be in my prayers.

And - perhaps (though I don't know the full situation) stay open for your MIL in case she ever does decide to look into this more. However, your SF and/or priest should be able to guide you better with that more than I (or anyone else here on CF) could do.

 

[heart of peace]

Ok, wow, I was not expecting this and I don't know how to even do this from an Orthodox perspective buuuut this woman today asked me to pray with her. She called me earlier this week crying as she feels broken and ravaged and scared. I comforted in a secular way that day. She knows I am an Orthodox Christian so I didn't feel it necessary to push Jesus Christ on her.

Today I saw her in person and she was very out of it physically. Just drained and I kept getting this urge to tell her about Jesus and how she can drink from the water that she will never thirst again but I didn't say anything. Then when she asked me to pray with her, I didn't know what to say but I knew God wanted me to do this. I started innerly praying the Jesus Prayer and I explained to her that if I pray with her I don't want her to feel uncomfortable because I pray only to the Christian God. She said she wanted it. So we prayed and I did my best to do so from an Orthodox perspective but I don't have enough prayers memorized. She prayed the Jesus Prayer with me and she said she wants to come back with me to that women's group. We were both in tears by the end of this and I am so thankful that God has been able to use me to help her find Him.

I need help now. I plan on helping her get started on her walk with Jesus but I don't know which direction I should head in from an Orthodox perspective (I've done this in the past from a heterodox perspective before I reconnected with the Church). I'm open to pointers

 

[Gwenyfur]

I'll leave the pointers to those who are more wise than I...but I will keep the entire situation in my prayers

 

[heart of peace]

Thank you Gwenyfur.

I came across a site called Orthotracts. Would anyone know if that is a good one to get some information?

 

[Lukaris]

Let me first state that I bow in humility to the inspiration you are reflecting in bringing a soul to Christ in His holy church. Since you mentioned that she is (was?) a Buddhist then perhaps focus on the ultimately most important & yet most basics of our faith. The 2 great commands (Mathew 22:37-40), the golden rule (Mathew 7:12), the 10 commandments, prayer, fasting (go slow there), and alms giving, the Beatitudes etc. These are much of the basic framework of a catechism I possess and are prominent in the Didache so reflect the basic pattern of apostolic instruction (as far as day to day living). Pondering these and reflecting on what our Saviour says, "Jesus answered and said to him, "He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me. And he who loves Me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." (John 14:21) A Buddhist should appreciate our Saviour's desire for us to ponder His love, compassion, and mercy. Theology can come later or may become easily understood when studied if the commandments are received and practised first (and with some people it is inherently so, they just need Christ to fulfill them). Lord have mercy and God bless you. also see short article from 20th c martyred St. Mother Maria (Skobtsova) http://www.berdyaev.com/skobtsova/pauperes_spiritu.html

 

[heart of peace]

Lukaris, thank you for that basic framework. It gives me a great place to start this process. She is having extreme difficulty sleeping at night as her anxieties are keeping her awake (she also suffers in other areas healthwise). So, I gave her the Prayer of Sick person to recite. I also provided her with a Bible (she didn't have any in her home). I need to stop being lazy with my own walk, I don't read Scripture every day as I should :-( I want to lean on my Orthodox teachings to help guide her, sadly, though, my understanding of our faith pales in comparison to many of the regs here.

Prayer of a Sick Person
Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, You became man and died on the cross for our salvation. You healed people of sickness and affliction through Your love and compassion. Visit me, Lord and grant me strength to bear this sickness with which I am afflicted, with patience, submission to Your will and trust in Your loving care. I pray that You will bless the means used for my recovery and those who administer them. Grant that my sickness may be to my spiritual benefit and that I may live the rest of my life more faithfully according to Your will. For You are the source of life and healing and to You I give praise and glory, now and forever. Amen.

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

I want to lean on my Orthodox teachings to help guide her, sadly, though, my understanding of our faith pales in comparison to many of the regs here.

The most wonderful thing is that you can start learning right here, right now. We are all here to help you. The most wonderful thing about the Orthodox faith is that it doesn't just tell you to "live the faith," it also provides you with the tools to do so.

I would recommend speaking to your priest about this woman, asking for him to pray for her, and perhaps even introducing her to him. After all, what a better way to teach her about the faith?

You are doing the right things though. You've set up personal boundries, and you are praying with her. Keep it up, and good things will follow.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Lord have mercy my sister!