Posted on 09/26/2004 2:18:01 AM PDT by 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)
Actually, you have misread his reaction.
When he saw my (written) distress over the situation,
Ryan publically apologized. He had sent my messages to the other teen for his debating feedback and posted his answers back to me (at least the first time) because he learned a lot from debate.
The other boy then offerred to have the thread pulled but I declined.
Please don't rush to judgemet.
Go get em!
Prayer bump!
I've been thinking about you and Ryan lately, as well. This must be why. The Lord walks with you as you battle for their souls.
The Lord will speak directly to newberger's heart and let him know when to walk away.
I don't believe he is lost yet. Based on the chain of events and the insecurity and immaturity of the young man, I think he joined for social reasons and not out of any strong message of faith.
I will continue to pray - the guy converted two weeks ago.
Dear Lord, please be with Paul in his efforts to bring this young teenage boy to You. Please bless his efforts, and multiply them as You see fit.
Dear Lord, please give him the words he needs. Please open the minds and hearts of those who read them.
We ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
Thank you, Lord.
Prayer for open ears and heart for this young man .
Paul , God sees your efforts and will bless
Heavenly Father, please continue to give newberger wisdom and give him the words to say and please quicken those words by Your Spirit as on the islam web site.
Send Your Spirit to search out amongst those reading the ones who are ripe for Your harvest, convict them of Your TRUTH, woo them, reason with them, hover over them, and send Your servants across their path to continue witnessing for the sake of the Lord and for their souls' sakes. Please continue pouring conviction over them and into them; pour deliverance and salvation into them in Your perfect time and according to Your sovereign will.
In the mighty Name of Jesus, AMEN
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