When Someone You Love Walks Away From God / Leaves the Church
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- čas přidán 20. 07. 2024
- If you have a family member, friend, or loved one who is far from God, you're not alone. You're in good company-not the least of which is God the Father himself, who works so hard to unite us with himself. If someone you love has stopped going to Church, or isn't practicing the faith anymore, or hasn't yet said "yes" to Jesus to begin with, what is the best way to love them?
Today, Fr. Mike has 4 simple things you can do to keep loving them on their faith journey, through all of the ups and downs. They're not easy to do, but they're always right.
0:00 4 Things You Can Do When Someone You Love Walks Away From God / Leaves the Church
1:27 1. Keep Open Lines of Communication
2:32 2. Keep Praying
4:56 3. Keep Your Expectations Realistic
6:51 4. Keep Hoping
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Oh the irony of being named Monica. My own son walked away from our Heavenly Father when He didn't answer his prayer, begging God to save the life of his best friend's father. He was 15. I've prayed now for 11 years for his return, to a minimum of him just believing again. Last year a friend went to Stubenville and met a woman who helped start Millions of Monicas and in January, I started this ministry at my own parish. Embarrassed and ashamed to speak in front of each Mass, I was shocked that we had 25 women show up at our first meeting. Any changes... for the first time in 11 years, rather than sneaking out the back during communion at a Mass for his grandpa, he walked up and received a blessing. He hears and He answers in His own time. I'll count that blessing as a win and will, as patiently as possible, continue to pray for the day he is completely back.
Thank you for sharing your story. I have two adult sons who have walked away from the Church. I pray to St. Monica everyday.
I’m called Monica as well and the irony isn’t lost on me either, except that I have a daughter who I’m trying patiently lead back to God. I have faith that God will touch her heart and turn it all around. I join my prayers with your for your son as well. 🙏🏽
@@cy7025 I will keep your sons in my prayers.
@@ShowMeCrafty keeping you and your daughter in my prayers as well.
@@monicaswift-hjerrild thank you 🙏🏽
Lord please heal those who have left the church and lead them home
If we don't need a church ideology: we believe in western nuclear deterrence, same sex marriage, universal health insurance, and the Eucharist is symbolic
Why would you want someone like me in your church - be honest that you don't.
Mind my local priest is quite ok with me - he can talk scripture with me and I know what he means. Most parishioners are not interested in such.
@@mariechong9109 amen!
Do you trust your pope? Come out of HER?
Amen🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
@@viljo21❓
Continue to pray for those in need of the Lord 🙏
1 John 5 KJV
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
✝️🩸
*Hallelujah!!!! The daily jesus devotional has been a huge part of my transformation, God is good 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻was owning a loan of $47,000 to the bank for my son's brain surgery (David), Now I'm no longer in debt after I invested $12,000 and got my payout of m $270,500 every months,God bless Christy Fiore🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸..*
Thanks to my co-worker (Alex) who suggested Ms Christy Fiore.
Hello how do you make such monthly ?? I'm a born Christian and sometimes I feel so down 🤦 of myself because of low finance but I still believe in God.
She's a licensed broker in the states 🇺🇸
After I raised up to 325k trading with her I bought a new House and a car here in the states 🇺🇸🇺🇸 also paid for my son's surgery (Oscar). Glory to God.shalom.
Wow that's nice She makes you that much!! please is there a way to reach her services, I work 3 jobs and trying to pay off my debts for a while now!! Please help me.
"Where there is life there is hope".... quote from my mom. Why we have to honor the natural sanctity of life. Always.
I spent 29 years away from the Church as a dyed-in-the-wool atheist and came back recently. I married another cradle Catholic who I led away during our courtship. Our kids are unbaptised. And now I'm trying to lead her back (first her, then the kids, my priest says). I'm optimistic that she'll come back to mass with me any week now. The "trick," in my experience, is to show quiet spiritual discipline: let her see that you're reading scripture daily, go to mass every week and tell her what you liked and didn't like... Don't be too overbearing. Have humility. Listen. Slow and steady wins the race. This seems to be working in my situation. Maybe it will work for you too.
That is very helpful and inspiring thank you for sharing. Although I too led people astray including my children,before going back to practise properly, the only thing to do is slowly show the example like you're doing, well done.
I hope so x4.
See if you can get her to watch just one episode of the TV series The Chosen. After one episode, your wife will probably want to see more.
The way the early Christians converted people was to show them how Christ changed them. I know from experience, that as your wife sees how you're becoming a better person and are more loving, kind, and filled with the joy of Christ, she'll come around.
I will add you and your family to my rosary intentions.
A spiritual director told me that I have to remember that God is always working, even if I can't see it. God wants my loved ones to be reunited in the Body of Christ even more than I do. Everyone is on a different spiritual journey, some just take a bit longer to find the right path.
@@stingingnettle9726 humans have limited reason (we don't know everything, so to look for evidence based on what we "know" is putting God in a human-sized box). God is total love, and trust in him requires faith. So I pray for more faith, so I can trust that he is always working, even when I can't see it.
@@christiweber8201 yes, that is the usual excuse for tolerating Elohim killing every man woman and child at Sodom (Genesis 19:24), ording the ripping the unborn from their mother's womb (Hosea 13:16) slowly killing Beshebas's baby (2 Samuel 12 17) killing the Firstborn (Exodus 12:29) putting to death women, children and infants (1 Samuel 15:3), has 2 She bear kill boys (2 Kings 2:24), killing Jobs children (Job 1: 19) and all the other tales of God killing children . The Bible doesn't reveal Satan to harm anything let alone kill innocent children.
Helped a lot your message
I pray that we will get there eventually 🙏
My daughter went to Catholic school from 1st to 12th grade. She appreciates her great education but she walked away from the faith at ASU and then graduated and got married to a non Catholic so I feel sad but she won’t even talk about it with me. I took my son out of Catholic school when he was 8 and sent him to public school biggest mistake I ever made because he needed the guidance more than she did. now he has turned into a trans person and I feel like he’s lost. I pray for him and her every day. I pray a lot for him because he is so defiant I try not to blame myself, but sometimes that’s all Ican do. I was confirmed later on in life I named myself Monica after Saint Monica …my tears could fill an ocean.
I’ll pray for your children too!
@@uikmnhj4me thank you
@@Lanamarri36712 praying for your family 🙏
Nothing is impossible to God.
@@fgscatholicpoint22 amen!
I walked away from the church when I was just 16. It took me 20 years but I did find God again. If you’re praying for someone, don’t stop praying and don’t stop loving them. If they are open to it, talk to them. I think if I had someone to talk to about faith and doubt I may have come back sooner, maybe never would have left. But everything happens in God’s time, not ours.
So helpful thank you
Thank you Thank you. I needed this. ❤
Several of my 6 children have walked away from the Church . The hypocrisy and lack of Christ’s example they’ve experienced is heartbreaking! Still praying for us !❤️🙏❤️
Praying for them 🙏
Praying ❤
There’s hope! I walked away for 40+ years. God called me back during Covid. Oh the prayers my mother must have prayed … sadly she has dementia now so I can’t share with her that God answered her prayers 😞 I wish I could see the joy on her face!! Keep the faith. Praying for your family 🙏
@@parysethibodeau9474 Beautiful! Welcome Home ❤ Prayers for you and your mom.
Praying
Thank you Father for this. I do beat myself up over my children not having the Faith I would love them to have. God is so good....I will keep praying with complete trust and faith..
Perhaps pray and reflect how you raised them.
I assume you brought them up to be reflective and take responsibility for themselves... And they are .
This was very encouraging and exactly what I needed to hear today. My 29 year old has left the church and is now transgender. Sometimes it feels like praying isn't enough, but I continue to pray. Thank you for this message, Father.
It is really helping me to see other parents coping with these kinds of issues, it's a lonely business watching your adult children depart from God, even when you're praying constantly for them
My child was 38 when revealing that he was transgender 😢. At least I’m doing the things Fr. Mike talked about and feel less guilty that it was my fault.
I stay with you!
The only thing good in this world is God’s Presence ❤
Attended Mass in the 70s when I was little. Now starting RCIA (OCIA). God is FAITHFUL. GOD IS GOOD. GOD IS LOVE.
I spent 40 years away from the church. I never stopped loving Our Lord and always prayed but I did not attend church. I walked back in church 9 years ago and have attended ever since. I feel his presence and he has helped me more than I can say. Love you Fr. Mike!
I'm always thinking about St Monica, because I pray for my son and his family to come to the Catholic faith. Thanks for reminding us to pray always, and not give up. God be with you and your family. Claire.
I have been praying for guidance on this subject almost daily lately and then, here you are.
Every single solitary video with father, Mike Schmitz is so inspiring. Thank you God for such an incredible evangelizer and witness to the faith.
Yes, it’s their journey. We cannot “give” our Faith to our children / husband. They will grow in their time. Pray pray pray.
There is always hope, for we have a God who works miracles according to our faith and hope in Him. Jesus, I trust in You! 🙏🔥
Remember, the overwhelming of prayers are ignored
It is not as if God doesn't know your pain
Pray that you may understand yourself
Thank you Father, I have been in such despair over my children’s loss of their Holy Catholic faith. Your words spoke to me. I will focus on those 4 steps, meanwhile please help me pray them back to Jesus.
Me too..😔
I've been praying for My children conversion and salvation I go to daily mass and pray two hours a day for the conversion and salvation of my family i know through my prayers we are all going to be saved
Father, once again you knocked it out of the ballpark. Prayers to you and God bless.
It’s been very difficult to watch our children leave. Many tears have been shed but this is good advice to follow- keep the lines of communication open. Thank you Father Mike!
But how do we keep lines of communication open if the other side does not want it and just respnds with abuse when attempts are made apart from prayer?
I am praying for my parents. They are boomers and it seems their generation has a lot of disrespect for the church. I pray I can get then to just believe again before they die.
Please pray for my daughter Holly, she is too influenced by the "woke" culture, she is angry with The Church
Thank you Father Mike. My grandson decided the Catholic Religion is a cult and has walked away. He does not participate in anything. Please God of Hope help him to realize that without God in our lives, we are nothing.
Father Mike you are a great priest, i will always thank you, and i will always remind myself that you were the one who motivated me to go back to church. Thanks be to God for you ❤️❤️
I needed to see/hear this. Thank you God.
Father Schmidt says this too . I found a pamphlet in a church that helped me immensely.
It was called : “ when your children leave the church.” . In it a priest also brings up the point how we as parents beat ourselves up blaming ourselves for our children leaving the church . Yet God our Father the perfect father see it happen to millions of his children . So know that any of us can see our children go astray . 😢
For me, this is one of the most encouraging talks I have heard. Please Lord God, spiritually heal my kids and grands and all those here who are praying for the same thing.
Father Mike, thank you. It's a struggle when your adult children turn away from God and the Church. As you mentioned we did all the right things-Mass every week and Catholic school. I love that you said their story isn't over yet and there is hope. I pray to St. Monica everyday.
My mother passed away July 15, 2023. Since her passing my younger sister has pulled away from her siblings and isn't communicating nor reaching out to any of us. I continue to reach out to her, sometimes she'll respond to my text, but with short answers and when I ask if she would like to talk her response is she is busy and doesn't have any time to do so. I continue to pray for her.
🙏🙏
Thank you Father Mike! I was really struggling with hope for my son to turn back to our Lord and to us. This really hit home! I will not give up because our story is not over. 🙏❤️🙏
I can't avoid them. They're my kids. I raised them in the faith, from baptism to confirmation. Now they just don't go to Church at all.
Watched this entire video, had tears running down my face, tried to clear my throat, and as soon as I started coughing, I hear, “What’s up with the coughing!?” 😳😳🤷🏻♀️😂
Cannot tell you how much I needed this. I have been in agony since my middle son flat out told me he does not believe in God. Raised Catholic and attended Catholic school. University and Gard school "taught" God right out of him. I pray daily for him and his other two brothers as they too don't attend church or say they believe or have faith - yes, they too attended "higher education". Thank you for these words of encouragement.
Ooh wow 😢just need communication and prayer.
When I feel I dont want too
Please pray for my forgiveness x
I was away from the church for about 20 years of my life, not because i didn’t believe in God, but maybe pure laziness, and maybe because my parents didn’t tell us the importance of going to church. I came back to church about 2 years ago and thanks be to God for Father Mike because he was that link that brought me back to church. I felt so alone 2 years ago, heartbroken, and our Lord took me back into his arms, our Lord was the only one that cured my heartache and loneliness. Thanks be to God! My God, my Lord!
Thank you Father Mike! I really appreciate your advice! It's really good advice! And I have been praying for my family. I fast and everything. I even pray for my husband he's South Indian and he doesn't know God or really much about him. But I pray that he will get to know God. And also my children and my grandchildren. And my siblings. And I pray for the whole World for those who don't believe in God
1 Corinthians 7:14 " For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife.."
Exemplary Mother of the great Augustine,
you perseveringly pursued your wayward son
not with wild threats
but with prayerful cries to heaven.
Intercede for all mothers in our day
so that they may learn to draw their children to God.
Teach them how to remain close to their children,
even the prodigal sons and daughters
who have sadly gone astray.
"Lord, make me a Saint - just not yet!" - attributed to Augustine. Also, you can lead a horse to water, but you can not make them drink. Never, ever underestimate the power of prayer.
My mom always tell me the story of St. Monica, i told her to pray for me a lot just like St. Monica did with her son so i can become a saint as well 🙊🙊🙊 just a joke though, but i do hope to one day go to heaven and be with Jesus my Lord 🥰
ME too
Thanks Father Mike, I asked God this morning to speak to me. And this popped up. I needed reassurance. I'm laughing and crying over this, and hoping. 😊 God Bless
It is not our job to insert ourselves into the spiritual lives of others. We never know their whole story. We never know their pain and suffering. We don't walk in their shoes. Most importantly, we don't know Gid's plan for them (or fir ourselves.) Our job is to pray unceasingly for God's will for them and for ourselves. Making overt gestures to try to "save" them is overstepping. Let God be God.
All we can do is pray for our children for return to the faith and pray for another like St Ambrosia to share the faith. Its a spiritual battle in todays times, not just our doing. The Chosen series is doing much to bring back the gospel.. dont give up!!
I’d love to hear another just like this but discuss what to do if it’s your SPOUSE!
Pray to St Rita. She prayed for her husband’s conversion.
Try reading The Diary of Elisabeth Leseur, or learn about her life. She was a devout catholic whose husband was an atheist, she offered up her prayers and sufferings for him. Later in life, after she passed away, he became a priest. This priest, is the one who was the spiritual director of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen!
@@stephaniemartinez327Yes, a beautiful story
Prayers for us who go astray ❤
Thank you, Fr Mike! This was perfect timing. My daughter just informed me she's in a same sex relationship. I am devastated! Praying she has a heart of conversion!!❤
@@diannevasquez627 praying for your family 🙏
Dont’ give up, and pray, pray, pray. My daughter declared herself bisexual many years ago. After much prayer and never closing the door to loving communication, she met and married a wonderful man and they have a beautiful son. She still has a way to go to a reversion (she was raised Catholic, and even engaged in apologetics work during her teens). We have a good relationship, with boundaries, but I never stop prayer for her, her husband and child. I know God loves her and wants her to know Him.
Don't lose hope! I know someone who was in a same sex relationship and is now married with 5 children.
@@blackforestwanderer amazing, thanks be to God 🥰🙏
Yes, all glory to Him!🙏🏻
Thank you for sharing this powerful message. It’s heartbreaking when someone we care about walks away from their faith. Let’s pray for those who have left the Church, trusting that God’s grace can lead them back.
Thank you, Fr. Mike. This is something I really needed to hear. I pray every day for our children and for all that have left the Catholic faith. And like St. Monica, I shed many tears for them.
🙏🏼🙏🏼for my family my sons and daughter and son In law return to church 🙏🏼
Thank you for that very wise and hopeful message, Father Mike!
Pls pray for the conversion of my loved ones 🙏🏾✝️ thank you
You can't forcefully change someone. But you can influence them. Through prayerful living, through living in love, and letting christ shine through you. They have to want to change themselves, and you can be the example and catalyst to allow them to ponder that change. Be a light on a hill to guide them home.
One of the things I ask Mary for is to protect my son until he can find Jesus.
I ask the guardian angels of all my family individually to stand in their homes every day and night to protect and guide them
From Ohio.. humbly , thank you… I’m a Die Hard Roman Catholic.. the love of my life is an atheist.. As a Deacon’s daughter… it seems like a bad thing…. But, this man loves me… I’m trying to bring him to my faith… But, I understand that this must happen in God’s time .. not mine… God bless you & your ministry
Exactly what I needed revealed to me. My hope is renewed!!!
Thank Father Mike for your encouraging words. God bless you and keep you in His loving arms' , Amen
I too like Monica, pray for my family to come back to faith and to receive the Holy Eucharist 🙏 ❤ Jesus l trust in You. I will not give up praying for them.
Thank you Father Mike, God really does know when we are in need of something and today he sent you. I needed this now. Please pray for me. Thanks
Keep persevering in prayer for your family. St Monica St Rita did not give up and we shouldn’t either.
Yes , it’s frustrating and difficult but Trust God and pray pray pray. Pray the Rosary and after each decade say, “with these beads I bind my children (or whoever it is) say their name(s) to Your Immaculate Heart”
Mama Mary will tend to their souls ❣️
@@fmd7920 amen!
I needed this today. Thank you, Fr. Mike. Their stories aren't over yet.
This is timely for me and some of my family.
I have to remember that God brought me through the desert miraculously. I will never know who all was praying for me, had prayed for me, and my relatives passed but not gone. But I appreciate that they never gave up on me and I’ll do the same.
I am a testament to being someone who walked away from the faith, but it was my praying mother who interceded for me continually. As a result, I not only came back to the faith, but I married a devout Catholic, (who I met on the feast of Saint Anthony on a Friday the 13th). Our family has been consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Don’t give up when others walk away from the faith. Talking to them about it will probably do nothing but prayer can move mountains. God bless.
Pray that Christ, Mary and St Michael bind any spirits which may be causing the disruption as well.
Thank you Father
🙏🏼without ceasing for our family and friends…. I needed this reminder about not dwelling on if I could have and the story is not over!! Thank Father Mike! Praise God!!
I pray and pray...for my children's conversion...but I don't have 30 years...won't stop doing any anyways...Thanks Father Mike...
Thank you. ❤️🙏
Jesus, " I Trust in You".
My children and grandchildren are in your hands and heart. ❤
My child turned away from God and the Catholic Church ten years ago. I definitely went through the phase of blaming myself but can now look back and know that, as you say, I can't be perfect,, she was given free will, and she walked away. Sadly, she has severed her relationship not only from my husband and myself but from all of her siblings as well. She is living a very sinful lifestyle as well. It is tempting for me to give up hope, but of course we all continue to pray for her. I was especially touched by your words about how God cannot ignore the endless tears shed by a mother for her child. This loss has been like a sword to my very heart. My tears have been countless. My prayer is that she comes to her senses and saves her eternal soul. I have even come to the point that I accept that it may be after I am gone from this earth. The pain of a broken relationship like this is indescribable, but I have learned to live with it and not miss enjoying the rest of my beautiful family. Thanks for your words of wisdom.
Praise to you God and lord Jesus Christ😇🙏❤
Greetings, good morning 🌞 Dear catholics just stopped by to say hello 🙋🏼♀️ visit see whats going on today having my cup of coffee ☕ 🎇 Happy forth of July 🎇🇺🇸💌🌹🙏🏻 I dont like when people attack churches when its the members that do the bad just like landlords have the power to stop crimes on their property I blame the landlords when crimes are committed 🙏🏻
Prayers are good options Father Mike.
Lord please lead our daughter Natalie back to the faith and her family in Jesus name. Thank you Father Mike
Communication, prayer and hope. A parent's constant mission. We too felt we gave a solid foundation, and hope our young adult comes back to it. Thank you for the encouragement. I needed this, today in particular. Thank you Holy Spirit!
Wow! As physicians of our Lord we sometimes need to use Love as a defibrillator to shock them back to life!
Can completely relate to this ..thank you Father very much✝️🙏🏻🌹
I keep praying 🙏🏻 just like Saint Monica for over 14 years 😊😊❤😊🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻thank you Father Mike 😊❤😊❤love to hear your videos, so inspiring and amazing 😊❤😊❤
This is really speaking to my heart. Praying for my sister, she is living practicing homosexual sin. Our most Holy Queen of Heavem, pray for her.
As someone who is married to a cradle Catholic, I began my conversion and realized my husband is apathetic to the church (I completely understand why, pour example set by family) and it’s been extremely difficult to know how to help him and how to pray for him.
Thank you Fr. Mike for your candid talks and guidance. This is so helpful. Thank you too for being you and praying for us. Prayers to all who are lost 🙏🏻❤May their hearts open and find their way home to Jesus!
I pray from my family everyday…..I so needed to hear this!
Greetings Father Mike,
Special Mention :-
-> " My Father being Atheist by Principles for many years have now become Devout, Practising Catholic by all means in all aspects.Glory be to Lord Jesus Christ !! Amen. "
-> " Hope, Patience and Faith really Matters."
-> Good, Eloquent Message on Relationship Issues, Father Mike. Thanks.
With regards ,
Ranjith Joseph (R.J)
Fr mike jesus bless you
Wow, thank you, Father Mike! 3 and 4 really hit home with me.
My husband and I are saying a 9 month novena, the Impossible Novena, for our adult children to come back to the Catholic faith.
This. Is. So. Powerful. Thank you, Fr Mike. I'm going to pray a Hail Mary for you right now in thanksgiving for you, for your ministry, and for everyone at Ascension Presents! 🙏❤️
I didn't walk away from God neither I don't think my friends did. But I have committed to be with him, and now I don't have any friends to talk too. I am a little lost.
edit: this is a short summarization of what's going on in my head.
I tried to go back to the Faith (Catholic) that I was raised in. I attended a Mass and even introduced myself to the priest that gave the mass. Not one person came up to me to say Hello or Welcome. Even the priest did not, he just told me to email another Friar. I left nearly in tears and am so disappointed and sad about my experience. That is why folks don't want to come back. Where is the welcoming family of Christians. Christian hierarchy created the unwelcome atmosphere and need to change their ways. Also, the sermon takes a back seat to all pomp and circumstance.
I keep praying and try my best to help guide them back to more faithful and less lukewarm life.
I trust them to God but I won’t put too much pressure outside of what I can handle
Thank you father that was helpful… while we still have breath of life, there is still hope for us🙏
This talk is a game changer! Thx Father Mike and Ascension Presents. All Praise be to Jesus
Praying for my family conversions, my daughter, her boyfriend and my grandson..
For family and friends.
Please let me surrender and know God is always in contril.😊
God bless you
Thank you, Fr. Mike!
Thank you, Fr Mike! Yes, God The Greatest Father and he has done everything for all of us and look how it hurts him to see so many people walk away. I never thought of it that way thank you so much. ❤ we used to speak to them about coming back to the church until we almost lost them. And then Our said PRAY FOR THEM ❤
Thank you Father Mike.
💙 , humility, , forgiveness, love & not giving up! 💙 cheers
A bull’s eye reading. So grateful ❤