Dear Prayer Team,

Searching for wisdom

My time with BFF ministry is largely spent on developing and distributing training materials. Over the past year, more and more individuals from different parts of the world are writing or calling to ask for special help. In most cases, I respond with a long email along with prayer. I would like to highlight three of these requests from the last week or two. Please pray for wisdom for me and help for them!

- Without a genuine shepherd

One brother about 30 years-old, a father with two children, called asking for a deeper understanding of discipleship. He has sensed a call into ministry for many years and soon will graduate from a Christian college. At the heart of his request is that he never could find anyone to disciple him. He asked his pastor, but the pastor was busy with funerals and such. In about 20 minutes I could help him evaluate his concepts of discipleship and point him to more resources. He was very thankful, but what he really needs is a person to mentor him.

- Giving up on life

The email heading was, "PLEASE HELP ME!!!! IN THE NAME OF GOD.. HELP ME!!!!!" All the way through the long sad note this 21 year-old guy was critical of his dad and depicted his great need for help. He has a real problem seeing his Christian life as anything but something that has gone totally wrong. In quite a bit of detail he explains many of his problems as if he has heard counselors tell him what was wrong with him. He says, "Honestly, I don't really love God because I don't know what that means as you probably by now can imagine!"
His message is quite clear. He closes with,

"PLEASE ask God to talk to you about me... PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

- Confused and searching

"I found your website and as I was looking for spiritual guidance." He goes on about his difficulty of coming to know the Lord and being out of a job since September. He still is not working and does not know what to do with his life.

In a sense, he does not know where to go. He didn't mention his church but only feeling like a virtual prisoner locked up in his parents' house.

In a positive sense he was asking what it means to wait upon the Lord. He wasn't just festering about his problems but looking for answers. He still has hope and listens to the Lord. It is so hard to give advice through email.

Summary

My time, knowledge and wisdom is easily spent on these individuals. I do not feel comfortable ignoring them. God wants me to give them advice but it is hard with the many limitations. I am convinced they need all of our prayers. Please remember to pray for them and the others seeking advice.