Please pray for my friend

I need as many of you as possible to agree with me in prayer for my dearest friend. I've mentioned him a few times. His name is Les, he lives in NY and he's an alcoholic. He's 48, divorced, he hasn't seen his 12 year old son in over 2 years (the boy lives in CT). He's been unemployed for over 2 years, had 2 DWI's and lost his license, had to sell his car, got evicted, filed for bankruptcy - all in the last year or so. In the last year he's been in 3 rehabs, 2 sober houses and emergency housing. He got kicked out of all but one of them. He's now in a hotel, very drunk and very lost. I know he needs spiritual help and he agreed to let a priest in, if I could get one over there. Since St. Joseph has been answering my prayers lately, I called St. Joe's in the town that he's in. The secretary took all the info and is going to get a priest over there to talk to him.

Please pray that the evil one that has him bound, will be released in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Les is a lapsed Catholic and I really believe that the Church and sacraments is what he needs. He is a kind and gentle soul, very intelligent and he does love the Lord. He wants to stop drinking but is helpless. His father died at age 54 from drinking. His mother is also gone and he has no siblings, cousins or any other family. I am like a sister to him and we have a very special bond.

Thank you all in advance. I'll let you know what happens.

That poor, lost soul. How terribly sad. I will pray for him for sure!

Count me in.

Sherri

Thanks, ladies. I really thought this time the rehab "took"...
I've heard him cry before, but this time he was really sobbing.
He's just so important to me.

Well I forgot how tied up in red tape NY is. Instead of sending a priest to help my friend, they pass all the info to a counselor, who then calls me (4 1/2 hours after my call). The guy asks me tons of questions and tells me there is a priest who is a recovering alcoholic at a church 15 miles away. Before I could get excited about this "lifeline", he then tells me he doesn't think the priest will drive that far! 15 miles to help a soul? My priest here wouldn't have batted an eyelash if he knew someone was in dire need and may be willing to make a confession and return to church.
I understand they might be nervous for their safety, getting a call from 1800 miles away about a drunk guy in a hotel. But my goodness, this is their calling!

[ March 21, 2006, 07:55 PM: Message edited by: Bluebird ]

Oh my gosh Jackie this is awful!! Poor Les...I'm going to pray for him tomorrow morning at mass and of course add him to my St. Joseph's novena prayer list...

I'm truly amazed that the priest wouldn't go to him...I wonder if you called the NYC Diocese headquarter office if they couldn't put you in touch with one of their Social Services Priests....just a thought...I'm sorry you are so worried about this....you are a good friend to Les...

Bluebird,
I don't know how you feel about it, but my brother is an ordained Baptist minister and he would be more than happy to go to your friend and bring a couple of other friends to pray with him and lead him back to the Lord.

I completely trust my brother. He is one of the kindest, most sincere and powerful prayer warriors I've ever had the pleasure to know. He has a doctorate in divinity and lives close to Manhattan. His name is Dr. Bruce Epps and he would be honored to assist your friend. I'm sure of it.

He also works for a charitable organization there in New York and has connections to a lot of organizations who would be able to assist him.

Just let me know. He would travel on a subway, drive as far as it takes...my brother loves Christ very much and would love to be of service.

Thanks, Number5...that is the attitude I assumed the priest would have, and they are in the same town! Here's what they did. I called the church, the church called a Catholic counseling agency (which Les has been to many times), the agency called Les and arranged for him to go to the church the next day...after I told them both that he had no car, no license, not much money.
Les met with the priest and he has an appt. on monday to go to the agency. I don't know what they are going to do for him as he was drunk again yesterday and kept talking about other stuff.
I wanted to start with a priest but any man that loves the Lord, is what he needs right now.
I will try someone else that is closer to where he is but will take you up on the offer if I strike out. I'd hate to have your brother go that far if there is someone else that is closer.

[ March 23, 2006, 02:18 PM: Message edited by: Bluebird ]

OK, Bluebird, hope he gets the help he needs soon but remember, God knows where he is and has His "eye" on him at all times, knows his thoughts, his struggle and won't allow anything to happen to him unless and/or until it is his time to go.

God's desire for him is that he live a full and happy life. God will send someone to help him and it will be the one He wants. I'll bet he has placed your friend on the heart of this person now.

My brother wouldn't mind at all and would actually be honored, but I understand keeping it within your faith....I'll at least let Bruce know of the situation so that he can join us in prayer for your friend, Bluebird.

The more people of faith lifting him up in prayer the better.

No, what I'm saying is that I'm not concerned any more about keeping it within my faith (which is his, also). I started there but I am not that concerned about denomination...just his soul.
He knows that I have many people praying for him and he SO appreciates it.
I'll see what his state is next time I speak with him. Maybe your brother could even call him and pray with him on the phone.
Thanks Number5...you are a true woman of faith.
Your concern for others while in the midst of your own pain, shows pure Christian love.
((HUGS))

Thank you, Jackie. I appreciate that. I'm a firm believer that prayer works. I don't know what Katie and I would have done all these years without it. Some things look so difficult and I think its during those times that God is truly glorified, when it seems impossible to us. He steps in (though He's been there all the time) but He makes it so evident through the answer He brings that there is no question it is God who came to the rescue.

I love it when that happens.....

I agree with you there!

I'm also trying to learn when to jump in and help him and when not to. I've never had anyone so close to me have a drinking problem, so this is still pretty new to me. I want to be his friend by loving him, unconditionally, but I don't want to make it easier for him to not help himself.
I pray for his soul, then his sobriety.

I'm praying for Les, Bluebird. Praying complete restoration and guidance. Remember that God cares for Les in a very special way. I'm so glad he's got you for a friend. God bless you too!

Number5, I appreciate the way you express your faith. It's refreshing! And your kind offer to send your brother is remarkable.

Blue, I join others in lifting up Les. I am also pryaing for you that you will not let this get the best of you, that you will know your boundaries with Les, and that you will be the friend he needs until he can get help on Monday.

He sounds despartely lonely, which in itself is enough to make one drink if they have a problem. Let's pray for him to connect with some real friends who will take an interest in him.

Even his closest friend in NY has given up on him because of so many relapses and lies (this man is also an alcoholic, sober for 25 yrs.)
I feel like I've been the only one standing in the gap for him for the last 2 years, so I appreciate all the prayers.
He called last night, still drunk, but sounding more optimistic. He said he did confess to the Msgr. and I challended him strongly to get to church on sunday.

Just wanted to thank you all for your prayers. I haven't posted about Les for a few days because every day he was getting worse and worse. Yesterday, he had two girls in his room that were smoking crack and he almost tried it. One of them pleaded with him not to because they knew that he could get hooked right away and I guess even crack addicts can be compassionate (although they did take off with his cell phone, but that's better than getting him hooked on another drug). I've been stressed for days because he has been taking Xanax and drinking, which is why he sounded so bad. This was not the guy I know. I was ready to give up, thinking my prayers and words had no effect.
Today he is sober and very remorseful. But he's spending the day resting, praying and crying. I told him about all the women saying prayers for him, all over the country and he said "tell them to keep 'em coming!".
That's the Les I know. Thanks for helping to bring him back...I love you all!

Just an update - spoke to him this morning and not only is he still sober but for the first time since he started drinking, he is actually repulsed by the thought of alcohol! He believes it is a miracle and when I told him again about all your prayers, he said "please, thank them all for me!!" He is still scared but he is going to face whatever he has to. Today is his son's b.d and he said he feels like a failure. I told him that as long as he's breathing and moving forward, he hasn't failed. Failure is when you stop trying.

One more thing...we were discussing the 2 girls who were hooked on crack and wouldn't let him smoke any. He said they really were beautiful souls and we decided that this happened so others could pray for their salvation and their release from this horrible drug. So when you get a chance, say a little prayer for these two. It's a divine set up.

Thanks for the update, BB.
Miracles still happen! Praise the Lord! I will continue praying for this fellow and all others in need.