I need prayer backup today

self | Sept 26, 2004 | self

[newberger]

For the past several months I have been in correspondence by email with an teenager who became a Christian two years ago but who is considering giving up the faith to become a Muslim.

Since I am well trained in apologetics and theology I've used all my knowledge to try to convince him to keep the faith. He has expressed stong appreciation for my concern a number of times but hasn't replied very often.

This week on the web site where I met him he said that he plans to "take shahada" (publiclly recite the one-line Muslim creed) and become a Muslim this week. I emailed him but he has not responded. As a result, I plan to email him once more, this time not with apologetic arguments but with a from-the-heart set of resaons why I am a Christian and not a Muslim.

PLEASE pray for wisdom and tact for me and for a receptive heart for my young friend. When he posts on the Islamic web site, he glows with his admiration for the faith but I only have clues as to what his reasons are. He seems to have a very (negative) stereotyped understanding of Christianity.

I know that such astep is not final in God's site and I won't cease to pray for him but I'm concerned that *he* will consider it a final step.

Paul (aka Newberger)

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

You are very welcome Cowboy - I liked that poem very much too -

[Talking_Mouse]

Update?

[newberger]

Uodate?

It's almost 11PM here in Oregon. I've just sent him a long email that took me over 2 hours to write. I have at least as much to say again tomorrow night (I've scribbled down notes so I know that I have a lot more to say.)

I'm telling him things that I've been thinking for months. Essentially, I'm trying to show him that Islam is a major step backwards for him.

This young man is very intelligent. He has just started college and is already planning on an MBA! He is quite sincere and hates pretense. I don't really know what is attracting him (I have clues) so I asked him and I hope that he replies.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I have to respond to him from the context of our existing relationship and from the things that are already on my heart after three months.

I notice that a few debates have sprung up here. I'm going to choose to not comment on them because I don't want ot get sidetracked. I think that the email correspondence is too important.

I don't know when or if he'll respond. Please keep praying

Paul (aka Newberger)

[tiki]

Prayers up.

[Talking_Mouse]

Thanks for the update. Still praying for both your strengthening and your friend's enlightenment by the Holy Spirit.

[JockoManning]

"Heavenly Father, we continue to lift before You this young person to whom Paul is ministering. We ask You to continue to wooing him to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Send holy warring angels to protect him, bear witness to his heart that Jesus is Your Son and the lover of *his* soul; cause this young man to choose the Lord Jesus for his own. Anoint the words Paul writes to him, anoint the young man's eyes as he reads Paul's words. Father, by Your Spirit quicken, apprehend this young one, do Your sovereign will in his life. We ask this in the blessed holy Name above all Names, Jesus Christ. AMEN."

[newberger]

I think that I've added everyone who replied to this thread.

Whew, that's a lot of names.

I have a disappointing progress report for you.

My young friend, Ryan, today formally became a Muslim.

He didn't reply to my long emails but I've been following his postings on the Islamic web site. (He did send a friendly "Hey!" on that web site a few days ago.

I suppose that he felt so close to his decision that he didn't want to open up any new arguments.

Anyway, please keep praying for Ryan. I will keep praying and I told him so. Please join me.

Thanks

Paul (aka newberger)

[mabelkitty]

Oh! This is so sad.
He isn't keeping in contact with you because he is afraid you will change his mind.
I'm sure he will have questions about this in a few months.
I'm hoping, at least.

[Talking_Mouse]

Luckily, we don't kill people when they no long profess Christ, we continue to pray for them. I will keep Ryan in my prayers.

Thank you, Paul, for the update.

[eyespysomething]

Prayers for your friend. Through God all things are possible.

[Pegita]

Heavenly Father, we return to give You thanks that the prayers over the soul of another help to bring about Your good and perfect will. May it be thus for Ryan, O God ... we pray that You will deliver him from his false god and that You will bring him into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Thank You for Paul's faithful witness ... may it bear much fruit in Ryan's life. In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen ...

[Kolokotronis]

You've got it.

[Constantine XIII]

prayer bump

[djreece]

Adding my prayers

[JockoManning]

Heavenly Father, we continue to lift before You this young man, Ryan. Please continue to woo him with Your great love, and continue to work in his life to bring him to a place where he'll be in Your sovereign will. Send Your Holy Spirit to surround and convict him of Your goodness and everlasting kindness. Help him to hunger for Your presence, Your quickening, and Your ways that cannot be counterfeited. We look to You to continue watching over Ryan. In the mighty Name of the Lord Jesus Christ we ask all this. AMEN.

[Bandaneira]

You never know, he just might visit the Third Temple in the not-too-distant future when it is a "House for All Nations" as has been prophecied would happen. A peaceful muslim is better than a violent atheist.

[newberger]

This is AMAZING!

Yesterday, while reading the islamic web site, I cam across a post entitled "Study Material for debating Christians".

It was posted by another teenager who had gotten my July emails from Ryan and replied to them with his own critiques. Ryan had sent my email to him to rebut and posted the first set of criticisms shortly after my first message to him. This other kids thinks that he is hot stuff. I need to respond graciously and with accurate information.

I didn't reply to the critique at the time (it didn't sound like Ryan) but planned to get back to the harsh criticisms later. I never did.

Now, they are out in public before hundreds of Muslims and I get another chance to reply to the first set of critiques as well as two other sets which I have never seen.

At first, I was disappointed that my private email had been thrown out in public but today I realized what a tremendous gift this is.

DON'T STOP PRAYING NOW! I'm really on the front line and I can't escape!

[Prime Choice]

The matter is entirely in God's hands now. That this young man chose to go with a religion that drinks from the cup of bitterness and hatred is a sad turn of events, but remind yourself of the wisdom of Matthew 13:3-4,19.

That this young man so readily betrayed the confidence of your communications just shows how weak his faith truly is. And considering the virulence that others in his circle attacked your faith demonstrates the hatred that is Islam.

God gave this young man the free will to turn against His will. I'd say that Ryan has made it plain that he will accept no truth from anyone who speaks God's word. No matter how accurate your words or true your faith, breaking through any wall of hatred is arduous at best and rarely yields anything but frustration and discouragment. Even Jesus himself recognized this with the Pharisees.

My hope and prayer is that the Good Lord will lead Ryan back to the light in the same way He guided me.

[Clump]

You bet I will be praying.

[Pegita]

Heavenly Father, we return to give You thanks that You shall supply newberger with all that he needs in presenting Your Word before his friend. May Your Words find residence in Ryan's heart, O God ... call him out from the darkness into the light of Truth, in the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen ...