Urgent Prayer NEEDED

Dear intercessors and prayer warriors,

I have just got back from visiting an old friend of mine here in Ohio where I currently am. I used to hang out with this guy when I was still dead in my sins, and it was during this time that I was close to him that the Lord got a hold of me and I was born again by the grace and power of God. This man seen the radical change that happened in my life during that time, and the difference, before the new birth and afterwards, in me. The Lord convicted his heart at that time and he tried to clean himself up, but didn't get born again. I remember praying for him and he was set free from cigarette addiction, among other things instantly, and testified that it was God's doing. So he's seen the hand of the Lord work in his life to a degree and always showed some desire to be saved, though never desperation.

I haven't seen him for about 4 years. But I just visited him again. My heart is distressed within me. His brother died a few months ago who he was very close to, and after that, he lost it. He is driven to despair and depression and utter hopelessness. He turned to alcohol and oxycodon (a very powerful pill, it's basically a clean and legal [when prescribed] form of heroin) in very high doses and is dying by slow suicide with these drugs and he knows it. But he is so bound by demons and depression and suicidal thoughts and told me that he would end his life right now if he didn't have a family that it would hurt. He stopped doing the oxy drug about 4-5 days ago and is going through some heavy withdrawls, but is still drinking.

When I was just over there, I was able to testify to him of the love and grace and mercy and hope of Christ. He repeatedly broke down weeping, confessing his despair and hopelessness and his need for God to do a miracle in his life. I preached to him the Cross and the meaning of the Cross, plain and simple, in love. The Lord quickened Scriptures to me and I found a flood of Scripture after Scripture coming out of my mouth. After hearing me out, and slumping over with his head in his hands crying, he soon got up and kindly escorted me out of the house, I do not know why, but told me to come back tomorrow, and said that he loves me.

Please pray for him! I don't want to reveal his name for his dignity's sake, but God knows it. Just pray for him please. He is at a point of desperation. It is literally LIFE or DEATH for him right now, both spiritually and physically. May it not be said that he perishes because of a lack of prayer on his behalf!

In Christ -Josef

praying brother.

UPDATE ON MY FRIEND

May God give a special blessing to all who have lifted up my dear friend in prayer before the Throne. I was able to visit him again last night. Unfortunately, I can’t say that a breakthrough has happened yet. After 4-5 days of not taking the oxy drug, he folded and took it again. When I saw him yesterday, he was high from it. This drug is a highly addictive satanic tonic that dupes the mind and puts its victim in a euphoric stupor and “fool’s paradise” and this is sadly what it did to him. It suppressed all that pain, depression, bitterness, anger, and all the other filth and depravity in his heart. So when I was there, I wasn’t able to have much breakthrough. On top of this he has a number of pretty powerful and wicked demon spirits that have him bound that were manifesting in his eyes when I talked to him, and were doing everything in their power to “steal the seed” that was being sown.

Just my presence there was a conviction to him, and it was so sad to hear some of the things he said. He is in a bad place, and if the Lord doesn’t set him free from his sin, the spiritual death he is abiding in might very well soon manifest and result in a sudden physical death by the Judgment of God. He has had so much light, so much was preached to him, and he knows so much. He has a large Bible sitting in his living room and at times, will appear to seek God. I did what I could, and will not be able to see him any more, as he is leaving to go back to the city where his family is from.

O how I longed to bring a good report. But ultimately, we have to trust the Lord. Thank you everybody for your prayers and please keep him lifted up before the Throne as you remember.