Re: Trying to be Supportive- What Else Can I Do?
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2019 6:31 am
Hi Wonderwoman97,
You have gone to great lengths, you do research, reach out in the forums for ideas and suggestions, and pray for him continuously. You have put in 100 percent. You went the extra mile and then some to help a friend in need. You have done more than what many people are prepared to do to help others.
So it totally understandable why you would feel left out and helpless, considering how much time and effort you have invested into helping him.
As you said, he is just catching up with his close friends. You said you have only known him for a short period of time (4 months, did you say?). So it is only natural he would want to be around people he is familiar with, right? It is good to share the load with others. Everyone has different ways of offering support. The support you are giving him can’t be replaced by his close friends or anyone else. Everyone is playing a pivotal role in his healing.
Sorry, I didn’t understand what exactly you wanted my opinion on. So you asked your friend’s friend (the girl that you get along with) how he is going? I think it is great to ask other friends. I would do the same because then you can all harmonize the support you give him and keep open the lines of communication. You'll also be creating a small support network for him!
But if you can just clarify what you wanted my opinion on, I’ll try to offer a useful suggestion or feedback.
As for the prayers, I am still learning myself. There is no right or wrong in how we pray, as it is personal between ourselves and Jehovah. However, my understanding is that there is one main condition, which is to pray in Jesus’ name. You may already be aware of this, but I thought it was important to throw it out there.
As I’m sure you know, the reason we do it in Jesus’ name is because, when Adam and Eve sinned, we lost our privilege of direct communication with God. So now Jehovah has approved of only one way to communicate with him, which is through a mediator—the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
I close my prayers with: “I pray to you in Jesus’ name, Amen.” (mostly when I give thanks before dinner or for a quick prayer about something) OR if my prayer is more elaborate, I will say something like: "Father, I humbly ask you to hear my prayer, according to your will, in the name of your loving Son, our reigning King, Christ Jesus, Amen.”
You don’t have to do this word for word. You just go by your own style on the condition it is in Jesus’ name.
I just thought I would mention it because I had no idea about this until I started to read the bible. This probably explains why, years ago when I prayed, I didn't feel any connection with God, whether or not he heard my prayers.
The first time I felt that he heard my prayer was when I cried out his name in the shower during that relapse I had two years ago. Thereafter, my prayers have always been answered, at least that is what I feel. I can tell when he gives me guidance. It is an exquisite experience and feeling to feel his love and holy spirit upon me. This doesn’t make me more special to anyone else in Jehovah’s eyes--it just means that our relationship, connection, awareness, etc., with Jehovah is individual.
We communicate in Jesus’ name because in John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” And in John 15:16 it reads: …”so that no matter what you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
Something else to think about is we should “pray in harmony with God’s will.” As Matthew 7:21 reads: “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.”
Many people will live life and pray according to their will instead of God’s will. As it says in Psalm 4:3: “Know that Jehovah will treat his loyal one in a special way; Jehovah will hear when I call to him.” Jehovah treats his loyal ones in a special way!
At any time, let me know if you want the links to the articles on praying. You can read them when you get the chance. An understanding of how to pray has certainly improved my relationship with Jehovah and my connection to him--something of which I never had before.
Do what you can for your friend and leave the rest to Jehovah.
I will leave you with a link that I hope will bring a smile to your face. It might even bring a smile to your friends face
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU
I was listening to this while I was eating dinner. My uncle (whom I provide informal care for) was a little tense, so I just went up to him and gave him a big warm hug and sang this song to him. He loved it and was in such a great mood thereafter
You have gone to great lengths, you do research, reach out in the forums for ideas and suggestions, and pray for him continuously. You have put in 100 percent. You went the extra mile and then some to help a friend in need. You have done more than what many people are prepared to do to help others.
So it totally understandable why you would feel left out and helpless, considering how much time and effort you have invested into helping him.
As you said, he is just catching up with his close friends. You said you have only known him for a short period of time (4 months, did you say?). So it is only natural he would want to be around people he is familiar with, right? It is good to share the load with others. Everyone has different ways of offering support. The support you are giving him can’t be replaced by his close friends or anyone else. Everyone is playing a pivotal role in his healing.
Sorry, I didn’t understand what exactly you wanted my opinion on. So you asked your friend’s friend (the girl that you get along with) how he is going? I think it is great to ask other friends. I would do the same because then you can all harmonize the support you give him and keep open the lines of communication. You'll also be creating a small support network for him!
But if you can just clarify what you wanted my opinion on, I’ll try to offer a useful suggestion or feedback.
As for the prayers, I am still learning myself. There is no right or wrong in how we pray, as it is personal between ourselves and Jehovah. However, my understanding is that there is one main condition, which is to pray in Jesus’ name. You may already be aware of this, but I thought it was important to throw it out there.
As I’m sure you know, the reason we do it in Jesus’ name is because, when Adam and Eve sinned, we lost our privilege of direct communication with God. So now Jehovah has approved of only one way to communicate with him, which is through a mediator—the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
I close my prayers with: “I pray to you in Jesus’ name, Amen.” (mostly when I give thanks before dinner or for a quick prayer about something) OR if my prayer is more elaborate, I will say something like: "Father, I humbly ask you to hear my prayer, according to your will, in the name of your loving Son, our reigning King, Christ Jesus, Amen.”
You don’t have to do this word for word. You just go by your own style on the condition it is in Jesus’ name.
I just thought I would mention it because I had no idea about this until I started to read the bible. This probably explains why, years ago when I prayed, I didn't feel any connection with God, whether or not he heard my prayers.
The first time I felt that he heard my prayer was when I cried out his name in the shower during that relapse I had two years ago. Thereafter, my prayers have always been answered, at least that is what I feel. I can tell when he gives me guidance. It is an exquisite experience and feeling to feel his love and holy spirit upon me. This doesn’t make me more special to anyone else in Jehovah’s eyes--it just means that our relationship, connection, awareness, etc., with Jehovah is individual.
We communicate in Jesus’ name because in John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” And in John 15:16 it reads: …”so that no matter what you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
Something else to think about is we should “pray in harmony with God’s will.” As Matthew 7:21 reads: “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.”
Many people will live life and pray according to their will instead of God’s will. As it says in Psalm 4:3: “Know that Jehovah will treat his loyal one in a special way; Jehovah will hear when I call to him.” Jehovah treats his loyal ones in a special way!
At any time, let me know if you want the links to the articles on praying. You can read them when you get the chance. An understanding of how to pray has certainly improved my relationship with Jehovah and my connection to him--something of which I never had before.
Do what you can for your friend and leave the rest to Jehovah.
I will leave you with a link that I hope will bring a smile to your face. It might even bring a smile to your friends face
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU
I was listening to this while I was eating dinner. My uncle (whom I provide informal care for) was a little tense, so I just went up to him and gave him a big warm hug and sang this song to him. He loved it and was in such a great mood thereafter