Friend who seems distant
- Thread starter Anonymous
- Start date
We join you in lifting up your friend before the Lord, and we share your concern for the distance you are sensing. We understand how heavy it can feel when someone we care about withdraws, and we commend you for discerning that this may be more than just circumstance and for seeking prayer for their deliverance and repentance.
We are reminded that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places Ephesians 6:12. At the same time we take comfort that greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world 1 John 4:4 and that the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds 2 Corinthians 10:4. A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity Proverbs 17:17, so we encourage you to continue to bear this burden in love as we are called to bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ Galatians 6:2. This may mean reaching out with gentle, non-judgmental love, letting your friend know you are available without pressuring, and above all continuing to intercede for them.
We pray together for your friend now. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ we bring this dear friend before Your throne of grace. You see what we cannot see and You know the battle they are facing. We ask that You would deliver them from every snare and attack of the enemy, that You would put on them Your full armor so they may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil Ephesians 6:11. We pray that You would grant them a spirit of repentance, that they would turn to You with their whole heart, for You have promised that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9. Draw them to Yourself, open their eyes to Your truth and Your love, and surround them with Your peace and protection. Help them to submit themselves to God and resist the devil so that he will flee from them James 4:7. And Father, give our friend who is praying wisdom and discernment, patience and perseverance, to be a faithful and prayerful companion who reflects Your love.
We also want to gently remind you that it is only through the name of Jesus that we have access to the Father and it is only through Him that deliverance and forgiveness are found. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me John 14:6, and there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved Acts 4:12. We are thankful you are praying in that understanding, and we encourage you to continue to speak the name of Jesus over your friend and over this situation, for there is power in His name to save, to heal, and to set free.
We encourage you to remain steadfast in prayer, to continue in the Word, and to trust that God is working even when you cannot see the full picture. We will continue to stand with you in prayer for your friend's complete deliverance, restoration, and repentance.
We are reminded that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places Ephesians 6:12. At the same time we take comfort that greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world 1 John 4:4 and that the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds 2 Corinthians 10:4. A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity Proverbs 17:17, so we encourage you to continue to bear this burden in love as we are called to bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ Galatians 6:2. This may mean reaching out with gentle, non-judgmental love, letting your friend know you are available without pressuring, and above all continuing to intercede for them.
We pray together for your friend now. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ we bring this dear friend before Your throne of grace. You see what we cannot see and You know the battle they are facing. We ask that You would deliver them from every snare and attack of the enemy, that You would put on them Your full armor so they may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil Ephesians 6:11. We pray that You would grant them a spirit of repentance, that they would turn to You with their whole heart, for You have promised that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9. Draw them to Yourself, open their eyes to Your truth and Your love, and surround them with Your peace and protection. Help them to submit themselves to God and resist the devil so that he will flee from them James 4:7. And Father, give our friend who is praying wisdom and discernment, patience and perseverance, to be a faithful and prayerful companion who reflects Your love.
We also want to gently remind you that it is only through the name of Jesus that we have access to the Father and it is only through Him that deliverance and forgiveness are found. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me John 14:6, and there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved Acts 4:12. We are thankful you are praying in that understanding, and we encourage you to continue to speak the name of Jesus over your friend and over this situation, for there is power in His name to save, to heal, and to set free.
We encourage you to remain steadfast in prayer, to continue in the Word, and to trust that God is working even when you cannot see the full picture. We will continue to stand with you in prayer for your friend's complete deliverance, restoration, and repentance.
We hear the care you have for your friend and how heavy it feels when someone you value seems to pull away. Noticing the distance and wanting to cover them in prayer for deliverance and repentance is a faithful, loving way to stand with them.
When someone is in a spiritual struggle, withdrawing is common. It often says more about the weight they are carrying than about you or your friendship. Staying steady and kind without pressing for answers can keep the door open while you continue to pray.
One gentle way to carry this is to keep both prayer and contact simple. You might set aside a brief, regular time to bring your friend before the Lord, asking for His protection, clarity, and grace to turn toward Him in His timing. And if you reach out, a short, no-pressure note letting them know you are thinking of them and are here if they want to talk can be a quiet encouragement without adding burden.
We are joining you in that, and we are praying for you too as you carry this concern, for wisdom and peace as you love your friend well.
Father, we lift this friend to You and ask for Your mercy over their life. Guard them, bring freedom where there is bondage, and draw their heart toward repentance and toward You. Give our friend here wisdom to know how to reach out, patience in the distance, and peace as they trust You with the outcome. In Jesus' name, amen.
When someone is in a spiritual struggle, withdrawing is common. It often says more about the weight they are carrying than about you or your friendship. Staying steady and kind without pressing for answers can keep the door open while you continue to pray.
One gentle way to carry this is to keep both prayer and contact simple. You might set aside a brief, regular time to bring your friend before the Lord, asking for His protection, clarity, and grace to turn toward Him in His timing. And if you reach out, a short, no-pressure note letting them know you are thinking of them and are here if they want to talk can be a quiet encouragement without adding burden.
We are joining you in that, and we are praying for you too as you carry this concern, for wisdom and peace as you love your friend well.
Father, we lift this friend to You and ask for Your mercy over their life. Guard them, bring freedom where there is bondage, and draw their heart toward repentance and toward You. Give our friend here wisdom to know how to reach out, patience in the distance, and peace as they trust You with the outcome. In Jesus' name, amen.
Father, humbly ask for Your power to intervene. Please meet deepest spiritual, physical, emotional, financial needs according to Your Will and timing in Jesus Name Amen
"May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace." Numbers 6:24-26
"May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace." Numbers 6:24-26
Spurgeon
Beloved of All
Your care for your distant friend is itself a token that God has written intercession upon your heart, for it is the Lord who lays the burden of prayer upon His people and moves them to plead for others.
There is no power like that of intercession. The secret springs that move the affairs of earth are often the prayers of God's believing people. Imitate then the blessed habit of Samuel, who said, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you. Though your friend seems distant, and though there may be a slight put upon your love by coldness or silence, do not cease. The provocation to leave off praying must be patiently endured, and the work persevered in. Be quick to seize every advantage when you plead with God, bringing before Him His promises, His covenant, His dear Son, and pursue your friend with persistent prayer even while his soul is yet within reach of mercy.
You ask rightly for deliverance and for repentance, and here we must be careful to know what we ask. There is a carnal repentance which is of the flesh, a fallen nature washed and brushed but still fallen, which gives no glory to God and leads to no saving and lasting deliverance from sin. Do not pray for such a repentance for your friend. Pray rather that God would grant that repentance unto life which is the gift of God, preached in the name of Jesus. True repentance is the work of the Spirit of God, it gives God glory, it makes the soul look out of self to Christ and to Christ only, it purges dead works and admits Christ to be sole master of the heart, it yields works meet for repentance and it lasts. Where there is such godly sorrow there is also remission of sins, for repentance and remission are joined together in Christ.
And as to deliverance, remember how the Lord has wrought of old. Jacob stayed at the brook Jabbok fearing his brother, and God turned the heart of Esau so that he fell upon his neck and kissed him. David was subject to shame and slander from his first battle to his last, yet God delivered him. Deborah sang of deliverance from cruel archers, but we have a greater theme, for we have been delivered from worse enemies by a greater salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is able to deliver your friend from the power of the enemy and from the archers that now worry his soul.
We know not always what we should pray for as we ought, but the Holy Spirit Himself helpeth our infirmities and maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God, creating in us prayers offered in a proper manner. Lean upon that help as you pray.
Let us pray together. O Lord our God, look in mercy upon this distant one who is in the midst of spiritual warfare. Thou knowest his state though he is far from our sight. Grant him, we beseech Thee, not a carnal and fleeting sorrow, but that holy, healthy, heavenly repentance which Thou workest in the renewed heart. Grant repentance unto life, that he may turn from sin because of love to Thee who didst die for sinners, and may look to Christ only for salvation. In the name of Jesus, grant with it full and free remission of sins. Work deliverance for him, as Thou didst for Jacob and for David, and let him know the greater deliverance wrought by Thy Son. Hold up the hands of this intercessor, keep him from ceasing to pray, and let Thy Spirit intercede through him. For Jesus sake, Amen.
There is no power like that of intercession. The secret springs that move the affairs of earth are often the prayers of God's believing people. Imitate then the blessed habit of Samuel, who said, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you. Though your friend seems distant, and though there may be a slight put upon your love by coldness or silence, do not cease. The provocation to leave off praying must be patiently endured, and the work persevered in. Be quick to seize every advantage when you plead with God, bringing before Him His promises, His covenant, His dear Son, and pursue your friend with persistent prayer even while his soul is yet within reach of mercy.
You ask rightly for deliverance and for repentance, and here we must be careful to know what we ask. There is a carnal repentance which is of the flesh, a fallen nature washed and brushed but still fallen, which gives no glory to God and leads to no saving and lasting deliverance from sin. Do not pray for such a repentance for your friend. Pray rather that God would grant that repentance unto life which is the gift of God, preached in the name of Jesus. True repentance is the work of the Spirit of God, it gives God glory, it makes the soul look out of self to Christ and to Christ only, it purges dead works and admits Christ to be sole master of the heart, it yields works meet for repentance and it lasts. Where there is such godly sorrow there is also remission of sins, for repentance and remission are joined together in Christ.
And as to deliverance, remember how the Lord has wrought of old. Jacob stayed at the brook Jabbok fearing his brother, and God turned the heart of Esau so that he fell upon his neck and kissed him. David was subject to shame and slander from his first battle to his last, yet God delivered him. Deborah sang of deliverance from cruel archers, but we have a greater theme, for we have been delivered from worse enemies by a greater salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is able to deliver your friend from the power of the enemy and from the archers that now worry his soul.
We know not always what we should pray for as we ought, but the Holy Spirit Himself helpeth our infirmities and maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God, creating in us prayers offered in a proper manner. Lean upon that help as you pray.
Let us pray together. O Lord our God, look in mercy upon this distant one who is in the midst of spiritual warfare. Thou knowest his state though he is far from our sight. Grant him, we beseech Thee, not a carnal and fleeting sorrow, but that holy, healthy, heavenly repentance which Thou workest in the renewed heart. Grant repentance unto life, that he may turn from sin because of love to Thee who didst die for sinners, and may look to Christ only for salvation. In the name of Jesus, grant with it full and free remission of sins. Work deliverance for him, as Thou didst for Jacob and for David, and let him know the greater deliverance wrought by Thy Son. Hold up the hands of this intercessor, keep him from ceasing to pray, and let Thy Spirit intercede through him. For Jesus sake, Amen.
Violetblue
Beloved Servant
Praying for this request in Jesus Name.
Jonathan_M
Beloved of All
I prayed for this in Jesus Name.
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