Posted on 12/31/2006 12:53:06 PM PST by The Coopster
I know this isn't news, or breaking news...and this is my first thread ever on FR, after 6 years.
But I have a friend in dire need of as many prayers as he can get.
I've known this guy for 20+ years. We went to school together. He's been probably the best barber I've ever had cut my hair, until now.
Seem like an odd observation? He's losing his grip on more than just barber talent, as he's battling a pretty hardcore addiction (crack cocaine). I've seen it before - coke takes away your honor, your pride, your money, friends, health, etc.
Last night I went and found him in the van he's currently living in - doesn't even know whose it is, and I don't even think it runs. Took him out for a sandwich, and a heart to heart.
I'm very worried about him, and it makes me extremely sad that I can't help him more. He's still barbering, and almost functional, but as he puts it - he'll go several days and everything will seem fine, and then he goes on a bender/binge, and spends all of his money. He's lost control, and he looks like crap.
His family has pretty much given up on him. His co-workers just shake their heads and throw up their hands. And I'm pretty sure there's not another soul out there besides me that is caring about what ultimately happens to him.
Christmas Day he hitched a ride out to his dealer's house, bought what he bought, and walked back across town to the van, smoking that crap the entire day. The only bright point that I heard was that he stopped at a live nativity, to at least reflect on the hell that his life has become. He's not a religious guy, so this seems pretty big to me.
Bad personal choices/life decisions is what led to this, to be sure. But this thing is way bigger than he is at this point, and he need the help that I think only God can give him at this point. Even though he's not much for God, I know that God believes in him, and is his best hope. He obviously doesn't have the strength to handle it alone.
Please, please, PLEASE say a prayer that the new year will be better for him.
His name is Dave. I don't want him to die, and certainly not alone.
Prayers up for Dave, and for a friend of mine in a similar situation.
Unfortunately crack addicts cannot be helped until they reach bottom, It sounds like Dave doesnt have far to go.
You cant help him until he decides to help himself.
Prayers to Dave and his family...
A good portion of our year was spent caring for my sister who has an alcohol addiction. It's painful to watch someone we care about make decisions that are literally killing them.
I'll keep your friend Dave in my prayers. If he can find a way to go to NA meetings, they are one of the most successful treatment programs in the world. And they're free.
My prayer has been offered up for Dave. May our Lord in Heaven touch upon him and heal him from this addiction.
I will be praying for Dave to overcome this addition. Thank God he has a friend like you who is concerned for his well-being!
Prayers for your friend. He's going to need more than that, though. You may have find a way to intervene.
What a friend you are. In life, you only need one. I will pray that he will agree to go with you to see a pastor in a Spirit filled bible-believing Church. Jesus is the answer for everything.
Seems like The Holy Spirit is tugging at his heart already - when he stopped at the nativity - but he doesn't realize it's The Holy Spirit. Because of you, one day he will.
Because of your love for him - actually God is using you to demonstrate HIS LOVE for Dave - you will be rewarded greatly, also.
This story WILL have a beautiful ending and Dave will have a great testimony. No weapon formed against Dave will prosper, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Please.
A prayer that your friend and others in similar circumstances see the light.
Oh dear! Prayers up indeed for Dave!
God grant Dave the peace to overcome this painful time in his life.
Whatever the cause, heal him, Father.
Amen
Logan's Prayer Warriors....will you please add Dave to your prayer lists?
Coopster, what a wonderful friend you are!! I agree that Dave MUST hit rock bottom before he looks up. AND I agree that his stopping at the Nativity means the Holy Spirit IS tugging at his heart.
I will pray that he listens to that still soft voice...
Prayers for Dave. I had a best childhood friend in a similar situation about 10 years ago. It took a year in prison to get him back on the right path.
Psa 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Psa 51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psa 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is] ever before me.
Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this] evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, [and] be clear when thou judgest.
Psa 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Psa 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden [part] thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psa 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psa 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; [that] the bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice.
Psa 51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.
Psa 51:13 [Then] will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Psa 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: [and] my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
Psa 51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
God help Dave.
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