Circumstantial Spritual Warfare

[jazzbaby1]

A couple of months ago I posted a prayer request for cover while I was praying for the friend of a friend because I was being REALLY tempted regarding him. I did not stand strong and Lent was really rough. This is the sin that broke me this year. When I confessed it I mentioned that even in my sin I continued to intercede because I felt that if I was being tempted that hard that he was possibly at a crossroads and the enemy was trying to thwart God. I fell but I think that God honored my intercession in the way that He honors us loving one another. My priest directed me to continue to pray for this man and of course the temptation is even worse and I need confession again. Was my intuition correct? Have any of you ever experienced being really slammed after you committed to pray for a specific person? Why does God allow this? I’m trying to love and I feel bereft of protection.

 

[CB_Catholic]

A couple of months ago I posted a prayer request for cover while I was praying for the friend of a friend because I was being REALLY tempted regarding him. I did not stand strong and Lent was really rough. This is the sin that broke me this year. When I confessed it I mentioned that even in my sin I continued to intercede because I felt that if I was being tempted that hard that he was possibly at a crossroads and the enemy was trying to thwart God. I fell but I think that God honored my intercession in the way that He honors us loving one another. My priest directed me to continue to pray for this man and of course the temptation is even worse and I need confession again. Was my intuition correct? Have any of you ever experienced being really slammed after you committed to pray for a specific person? Why does God allow this? I’m trying to love and I feel bereft of protection.

We all face temptations and we all fall. However the Church tells us to avoid the near occasion of sin to help avoid sin. It might be wise to cut off completely and firmly ALL contact with this person. It is not worth the danger to your soul, as this is, from what I am understanding from your post, very grave sin, not just venial sin. That takes a lot of courage, but it is worth it to get yourself on the right path and avoid future falls.

 

[jazzbaby1]

I appreciate the thoughfulness of your response. Again, though, my priest told me to continue praying for him and I’m not of a mind to go priest-hopping till I find an answer that I’m comfortable with. As I understand intercession, temptations like this happen and the only way to combat them is to go to confession a lot and keep praying. I think I’m looking for confirmation that I’m on the correct path by evidence of being attacked in this way, but it’s possible that I’m taking too shallow a view of the situation. I will discuss what you’ve said with my priest. Thank you for your kindness in responding.