**I'm a very proud, spiritual Christian, but I'm even too ashamed to pray, at least at length, since both He and I know that I am the problem. **
I am sure this person knows that asking for forgiveness is the key componenet here. The Lord cannot forgive unless we confess. Seek out a priest connected with the AA program and sit down and talk with him. He will be so glad he did!!
I hope that our FRiend will be able to come to peaceful terms with Him. He only needs to initiate the contact and lose the shame. Because there is nothing shameful about improving yourself.