Triggering: praying for a friend.

[savealife723]

Hey guys,

So my best friend has definitely been through a lot in his lifetime. He used to be a drug dealer, and now he smokes and drinks a lot because he really doesn't know what else to do with his life. He hates who he is, and I'm pretty sure that he might be suicidal although he hasn't straight out said it. It's something that I'm going to approach him about pretty soon though. I'm a Christian, and he's an atheist. Whenever I pray for him, or even when I just think about him sometimes, I always feel like I'm being spiritually attacked. It gets so bad sometimes that I get anxiety attacks, and I know it's something that I need to learn to stand up to.

I don't really know how to explain the feeling, but it gets really bad sometimes.
It's only when I pray for him or think about him that I feel spiritually attacked.
No one else, just him.

Does anyone know or can think of a reason why it would be that way?

Any advice or suggestions are truly appreciated. <3

Thank you guys so much.

[Cosmo]

Originally Posted by savealife723

Hey guys,

So my best friend has definitely been through a lot in his lifetime. He used to be a drug dealer, and now he smokes and drinks a lot because he really doesn't know what else to do with his life. He hates who he is, and I'm pretty sure that he might be suicidal although he hasn't straight out said it. It's something that I'm going to approach him about pretty soon though. I'm a Christian, and he's an atheist. Whenever I pray for him, or even when I just think about him sometimes, I always feel like I'm being spiritually attacked. It gets so bad sometimes that I get anxiety attacks, and I know it's something that I need to learn to stand up to.

I don't really know how to explain the feeling, but it gets really bad sometimes.
It's only when I pray for him or think about him that I feel spiritually attacked.
No one else, just him.

Does anyone know or can think of a reason why it would be that way?

Any advice or suggestions are truly appreciated. <3

Thank you guys so much.

It's just your brain. You've obviously built up a stereotype of atheists (whether purposefully or subconsciously) and when you pray to him, your brain relates your act of prayer to the stereotype and causes you to imagine an anxiety attack, as if you're being 'spiritually attacked'.

[Youth Pastor]

Just remember when you're praying for him it's spiritual warfare. Christians have already won thanks to Jesus so lean on Him when the thoughts happen.

[John 6:29]

We get Spiritually attacked so we don't do as we ought. Consider myself, I feel condemned daily, and am continually skeptic of my salvation. This is largely why I don't talk about biblical things as much as I should. I.E. Who am I to talk to someone about salvation if I'm not even saved?

God uses these to grow our faith. For example, you may be getting attacked because God is seeing if you trust that, "Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door will be opened," or if you're just another doubter.

In regards to approaching him about suicide, perhaps you ought to talk to someone professionally about it first. I struggle with depression on a clinical level, and I know when my mom approached me about it 5 years ago, it was extremely offensive, yet laughable. I didn't take her seriously because I didn't think I was depressed, though looking back, I know I was now. Chances are he may not even realize it, as it is with most people who are depressed -- it's the ones who are depressed, but don't know it, that you need to be careful with. I do agree it's good to talk if he is suicidal, but I am wary on approaching him specifically about that. It may sound like you're attacking him, as if he is depressed, he will take it personally, not as you trying to help.

Also, don't go about the, "God will make you happier approach." Many people apostatize because they were told this lie. The Bible only promises followers of Christ trials, temptation, and persecution: "As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

In regards to your "attacks" though, Christ said: "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." You're prayers success isn't on the sufficiency of your prayer, but on the mediation of Christ, and His intercession to the Father.

[Xujhan]

Cosmonaut's answer is probably the correct one. Something about your opinion of your friend is likely making you uncomfortable, and while you pray for him those feelings would be at the forefront of your mind.

Also: keep in mind that not all atheists will appreciate being prayed for.

[Cosmo]

Originally Posted by Xujhan

Cosmonaut's answer is probably the correct one. Something about your opinion of your friend is likely making you uncomfortable, and while you pray for him those feelings would be at the forefront of your mind.

Also: keep in mind that not all atheists will appreciate being prayed for.

Only the militant ones, lol! :P

Seriously though, I think a better idea would be to actually do something to help him. Praying won't do anything.

[AnaMZ]

I agree with MonsterCosmonaut. You'll do far more by actively trying to help him - for some non-believers (myself included), praying for somebody else just seems like the nice way to actually do very little.

[Megan1]

Either you are having panick attacks because you are really worried about him, or satan is attacking you because he hates that you are doing what God wants you to do (actually, it's probably both of these things). Satan always attacks me when I'm doing the right thing. All Christians who are actually living for God get spiritually attacked because satan is so angry at them for doing God's will. It's totally normal and happens to most if not all Christians. I'd actually be more worried if someone WASN'T being attacked, because it would mean that the devil isn't against them because they aren't a threat to him. We NEED to be a threat to the devil; you are doing the right thing.

As for how to handle them, the best advice that I can give you is to read the bible every day- especially the New Testament, Pslams, Proverbs, and Job in this case. God's word is like a weapon against satan, and the more of it that you have in you, the better that you are able know how to fight. Also, obviously pray for wisdom and guidance.

I will be praying for you and your friend.