AudreyGrace Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 If we know someone who is far from God, and we've tried everything to get them back to Him but they still refuse to try, is it possible to pray for them to the point of saving their soul from eternal damnation? My parents are divorced, and my father lives in Florida now. He was baptized Catholic but no longer lives the faith- he was never really devout in the first place either. He hasn't been in a good place (alcohol, drugs, women, the works) for years and I honestly can't see him stopping anytime soon, unless by the grace of God. I've begged him to go to Church (gently of course), encouraged him to pray and rely on God, try going to rehab, everything. But he refuses. To get to the point, is it possible to pray for him so much that God will have mercy on his soul because of my prayers? He's my father, and I don't want to see him in Hell. I know we are to pray for the conversion of sinners, but does it go to this extent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Great question I've often wondered this too. Prayers dude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark of the Cross Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 [quote name='AudreyGrace' timestamp='1296085008' post='2204771'] If we know someone who is far from God, and we've tried everything to get them back to Him but they still refuse to try, is it possible to pray for them to the point of saving their soul from eternal damnation? My parents are divorced, and my father lives in Florida now. He was baptized Catholic but no longer lives the faith- he was never really devout in the first place either. He hasn't been in a good place (alcohol, drugs, women, the works) for years and I honestly can't see him stopping anytime soon, unless by the grace of God. I've begged him to go to Church (gently of course), encouraged him to pray and rely on God, try going to rehab, everything. But he refuses. To get to the point, is it possible to pray for him so much that God will have mercy on his soul because of my prayers? He's my father, and I don't want to see him in Hell. I know we are to pray for the conversion of sinners, but does it go to this extent? [/quote] I certainly Hope so! I have very kind and Christ like friends whom I pray for all the time. If saints can intercede between us and God, then your love for your father may be the saving link to God. Prayers for you and your Father, may Christ lead him gently from the wilderness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeresaBenedicta Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Think of St. Monica! Her prayers certainly proved fruitful for St. Augustine! Our prayers absolutely have efficacy and are often the means through which God is pleased to pour out His grace-- so keep praying for your father! But also remember that, ultimately, it must be [i]his[/i] choice to accept God's love and to love God in return. No amount of prayers will over-ride a person's free will. Prayers for your father. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudreyGrace Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 [quote name='TeresaBenedicta' timestamp='1296086175' post='2204780'] Think of St. Monica! Her prayers certainly proved fruitful for St. Augustine! Our prayers absolutely have efficacy and are often the means through which God is pleased to pour out His grace-- so keep praying for your father! But also remember that, ultimately, it must be [i]his[/i] choice to accept God's love and to love God in return. No amount of prayers will over-ride a person's free will. Prayers for your father. [/quote] Thank you! I immediately thought of St. Monica and St. Augustine! My brother&mother is kind of the same way. I actually just bought him a St. Augustine medal this weekend [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/saint.gif[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinytherese Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 While St. Stephen was being martyred he prayed for his persecutors. One of them had a major turn around and we know him today as St. Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 My spiritual director and I were talking about sacrificial acts as prayer for others. I gave up smoking as a sacrificial prayer for someone who lost their faith. I hope it works Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG45 Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Another recommendation for St. Monica. Prayers for your dad though, I don't have the best relationship with mine either (nor does he with God) so I kind of understand... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudreyGrace Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 [quote name='jaime (the artist formerly known as hot stuff)' timestamp='1296093142' post='2204834'] My spiritual director and I were talking about sacrificial acts as prayer for others. I gave up smoking as a sacrificial prayer for someone who lost their faith. I hope it works [/quote] God bless you! That is awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theresita Nerita Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 I only recently got into praying for others (yes I know it's basic but I'm stupid.) And it's incredibly useful. I was really a doubter too - like, "if praying for others works why is there so much suffering etc." but just in the last few months I can't count the number of times that something I've prayed for (for someone else of course) has come to pass. both big things and little things, but the thing that I find it best to pray for is for God to speak to other people's hearts. If He helped me (which He has) and I was such an idiot, He should be able to totally speak to other people much more easily. So don't despair of your dad. ALSO: Remember St. Therese's story in Story of a Soul: a novice had a dream about her sister or someone entering Carmel, and wanted to write a letter and tell the sister about the dream. The prioress said "We bring people to God through prayer not through letters." So they prayed for it all through lent and after Easter the sister independently wrote and asked to enter Carmel. the first time I read this i was like, yeah right, but since then I have discovered that my efforts to "help" people through my words or even my deeds are almost always misguided and regrettable, whereas the least worthy prayers almost always achieve way more! Good luck in prayer. Give it a shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vee Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 [quote name='TeresaBenedicta' timestamp='1296086175' post='2204780'] Think of St. Monica! Her prayers certainly proved fruitful for St. Augustine! Our prayers absolutely have efficacy and are often the means through which God is pleased to pour out His grace-- so keep praying for your father! But also remember that, ultimately, it must be [i]his[/i] choice to accept God's love and to love God in return. No amount of prayers will over-ride a person's free will. Prayers for your father. [/quote] This! 100% this. St Therese prayed so much for a murder that he converted just before his execution. I wouldnt be Catholic if it werent for however many people's prayers and sacrifices and God's mercy. Im a prodigal daughter and led a life no better than what you dad is doing. Now Im not. Now I will spend the rest of my life in prayer and sacrifice for people who were like me. pray this for your dad http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/dmmap.htm Look up the story of Fr Donald Calloway he is like a modern St Augustine, and he has a book http://www.amazon.com/No-Turning-Back-Witness-Mercy/dp/1596142103 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papist Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 It is doubtful that you can convert your dad. But, the Holy Spirit can. So yes, pray, pray, pray, etc. Remember, it is not time that is important, but eternity. God=Mercy!!!! However, He will not trump our free will. God bless you, your dad and your whole family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudreyGrace Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 [quote name='vee8' timestamp='1296150369' post='2205088'] pray this for your dad [url="http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/dmmap.htm"]http://www.ewtn.com/...mercy/dmmap.htm[/url] [/quote] vee, my Confirmation name is Maria Faustina. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/like.gif[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissyP89 Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 (edited) Been there, done that. Still there, still doing that, feel like I'll be doing it forever...stay strong. For the one praying, it can be very draining. Don't buy into despair. God will help! ^_^ Edited January 27, 2011 by MissyP89 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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