We hear the deep cry of your heart and the many struggles you are facing, and we are moved to lift you up in prayer and truth. You have called upon the name of Jesus Christ, and that is where your hope lies—for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. The Scriptures declare, *"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, WEB). You have acknowledged Him, and that is the first and most vital step. Now, let us walk together in His truth and seek His deliverance for you.
Your concerns reveal a heart that is burdened by the corruption of this world—its idolatry, its perversions, its empty pursuits, and its failure to honor God. You have seen the way sin distorts what is good, whether in politics, in art, in relationships, or in culture. The apostle John warns us, *"Don’t love the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s. The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever"* (1 John 2:15-17, WEB). You are right to recognize the emptiness of these things, but the answer is not to flee to another country or culture, for *"the whole world lies in the power of the evil one"* (1 John 5:19, WEB). The answer is to flee to Christ, to be rooted in His Word, and to walk in obedience to Him wherever you are.
Let us address the specific struggles you have shared, for we must bring them into the light of Scripture.
First, you mention your sister participating in voting. While we are called to be good citizens and to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2), we must remember that our ultimate hope is not in any earthly government or leader, but in the Kingdom of God. Jesus said, *"My Kingdom is not of this world"* (John 18:36, WEB). If you are distressed by the political climate, we encourage you to pray for wisdom and discernment for your sister and for all believers, that they would seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). But do not let political anxieties consume you, for our trust is in the Lord, not in princes or presidents.
Second, you confess your struggle with pornographic material, specifically the doujinshi you described. This is a grave matter, and we must address it with urgency and clarity. The Bible is explicit: *"Flee sexual immorality! ‘Every sin that a man does is outside the body,’ but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s"* (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, WEB). What you have described is not merely "art"—it is a perversion of God’s design for sexuality, and it is an abomination in His sight. The fact that you feel conviction is a sign that the Holy Spirit is at work in you, but conviction must lead to repentance. Repentance means turning away from this sin and fleeing from it entirely. Jesus said, *"If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna"* (Matthew 5:29, WEB). This may mean deleting files, blocking websites, or even discarding physical materials. You must also guard your heart and mind, for *"out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies"* (Matthew 15:19, WEB). Replace these images with the Word of God. Memorize Scripture, pray fervently, and seek accountability with a mature believer who can help you walk in purity.
You also mention the longing for your grandmother and relatives in Japan, and the pain of separation. This is a natural and godly desire, for family is a gift from God. However, we must be careful not to idolize any earthly relationship or culture. Even the love of family must not take precedence over our love for Christ. Jesus said, *"He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me"* (Matthew 10:37, WEB). If you are feeling isolated, we encourage you to seek fellowship with believers who can be a spiritual family to you. The Church is the body of Christ, and you are not meant to walk alone.
Your frustration with the hollow Christianity you’ve experienced is valid. Many churches today have abandoned the truth of God’s Word, offering instead a watered-down, powerless gospel that cannot save. But this does not mean that true Christianity is dead. Jesus said, *"I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it"* (Matthew 16:18, WEB). Seek out a church that preaches the uncompromising Word of God, that calls sinners to repentance, and that lifts up Jesus Christ as Lord. If you cannot find one nearby, there are many faithful online ministries that can nourish your soul. But do not neglect the gathering of believers, for *"let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching"* (Hebrews 10:24-25, WEB).
You speak of the emptiness of pop culture and the way it distorts God’s design for men and women. This is a real and dangerous problem. The world seeks to reduce people to objects or problems to be solved, but God created man and woman in His image, with dignity and purpose. *"So God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them"* (Genesis 1:27, WEB). The world’s music, media, and messages often contradict this truth, promoting lust, rebellion, and confusion. You must be discerning, *"testing all things, and hold firmly that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil"* (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, WEB). Fill your mind with what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8). If certain music or media leads you into sin or despair, cut it off. Your soul is too precious to feed it poison.
You express fear of dying without real human relationships in a greedy society. This is a deep and understandable fear, but we must remember that our ultimate relationship is with God. *"Though my father and my mother have forsaken me, Yahweh will take me up"* (Psalm 27:10, WEB). If you feel lonely, seek first the Lord, and then ask Him to provide godly friendships. *"A man who has friends must show himself friendly"* (Proverbs 18:24, WEB). Look for opportunities to serve others, to join a Bible study, or to participate in a ministry. But do not let the lack of earthly relationships drive you to despair. Even if you were entirely alone, you would not be abandoned, for *"I will never leave you or forsake you"* (Hebrews 13:5, WEB).
You mention feeling enslaved to "looking at rectangles," whether in school or in media. This is a sign of the times we live in, where distractions abound and the enemy seeks to keep us from what is eternal. But you have the power, through Christ, to break free from these chains. *"Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God"* (Romans 12:2, WEB). If your school assignments feel meaningless, use them as opportunities to glorify God by doing your best (Colossians 3:23). But also, make time for the Word of God. *"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path"* (Psalm 119:105, WEB). If you are not reading the Bible daily, start now. It is your lifeline.
Finally, you mention the desire to escape to Japan, believing it might be "greater" than America. While it is natural to long for a place where you feel more connected, no earthly nation is without sin or corruption. Every culture is fallen, and every society is in need of the gospel. Your mission is not to flee, but to be salt and light wherever God has placed you (Matthew 5:13-16). If He calls you to Japan, then go in obedience. But do not run from your problems, for they will follow you unless you address them in Christ. *"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"* (Matthew 6:21, WEB). Set your heart on things above, not on earthly escapes.
Now, let us pray for you:
Heavenly Father, we lift up this dear brother to You, knowing that You see his heart and hear his cries. Lord, he has called upon the name of Jesus, and we thank You that salvation is found in no other name. We ask that You would draw him closer to You, that he would know the depth of Your love and the power of Your Spirit working within him.
Father, we rebuke the spirits of lust, idolatry, and despair that have sought to entangle him. Break every chain of addiction, every stronghold of sin, and every lie of the enemy that has kept him bound. Wash him clean by the blood of Jesus and renew his mind by the power of Your Word. Give him a hunger for righteousness and a hatred for sin. Help him to flee from every temptation and to pursue holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
Lord, we pray for deliverance from the emptiness of this world—its perversions, its distractions, its hollow pursuits. Fill the void in his heart with more of You. Give him a passion for Your Word and a love for Your people. Provide godly friendships and mentors who can walk alongside him in this journey. If there is bitterness or unforgiveness in his heart toward his family or the church, we ask that You would heal those wounds and replace them with Your peace.
Father, we pray for his sister and his family. Open their eyes to the truth of Your Word. Convict them of sin and draw them to repentance. Use him as a light in his home, that they might see Christ in him.
We pray for his future, Lord. You have said that You have plans for him, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give him a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Reveal Your will to him and give him the courage to walk in it. If it is Your will for him to go to Japan or to stay where he is, make it clear. Give him wisdom to navigate the culture around him without being conformed to it.
Finally, Lord, we ask that You would protect his mind and heart. Guard him from the lies of the enemy, from the distractions of this world, and from the despair that seeks to overwhelm him. Fill him with Your joy, Your peace, and Your purpose. Let him know that he is not alone, for You are with him always.
We pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Brother, we urge you to take these steps seriously:
1. **Repent and turn away from sin**, especially the sexual immorality you’ve been exposed to. Confess it to God and ask for His cleansing (1 John 1:9).
2. **Immerse yourself in Scripture**. Start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) and the Epistles (Romans, Ephesians, etc.). Let God’s Word renew your mind.
3. **Seek godly fellowship**. Find a Bible-believing church or a small group where you can grow and be held accountable.
4. **Replace ungodly influences with godly ones**. Delete or avoid media that leads you into sin. Fill your time with worship, prayer, and service.
5. **Trust in God’s sovereignty**. He has not abandoned you. Even in your loneliness, He is with you, and He has a purpose for your life.
You are not defined by your struggles, but by the blood of Christ that was shed for you. Walk in that truth, and let Him lead you into the future He has prepared. *"The Lord himself will go before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged"* (Deuteronomy 31:8, WEB). Keep your eyes on Jesus, and He will guide you home.
