

Normal People (2020)
The greatest source of tears which the saints, the desert ascetics, used is weeping for sins. It is a source out of which abundant tears spring forth, for everyone who offers a true repentance with all their heart, feeling sorry for their sins, which caused all these sufferings to their compassionate Redeemer, portraying His wound before them and His open side by the spear of their sins. Therefore, you can do nothing but weep and shed tears.
They are the tears of regret for the lost time in entertainment and the false happiness in the vain pleasures of the world.
—H.E. Metropolitan Youssef, How to Pray
Q4. How does one know what is the gift that God has given them? Is there something that is supposed to be revealed at a certain time? Is there anything one can do to speed up the process of finding our gift?
Yes, you can pray about it and God will help you, to reveal your gift to you. Also, you can listen to the feedback other people give you. For example, people will say to you, “You have leadership qualities”;
“You know, when I talk to you, I feel comfortable,” so perhaps your gift is counseling, or you may be good at administration. So listen to the feedback from other people.
—H.E. Metropolitan Youssef, How to Know the Will of God
Q3. How do you know when a door is closed by God?
As I told you, you will not have peace about this way. When you ask many people, they will not be comfortable about this way. As I told you, God is not the author of confusion. God will send you certain signs or verses or messages, assuring you that this is not the way. When you try to knock on this door or to pursue it, you will find may challenges.
So, when you put all these things together, then you will know that this door is not for you. It is closed.
—H.E. Metropolitan Youssef, How to Know the Will of God
So, examine the circumstances around you.
Perhaps the job for which you have applied several times is not God’s plan for you to get. You may need to apply in another company, for another job. You need to look at the circumstances. Yes, there are some doors which will be closed, but this does not mean that God does not like you, God hates you, God rejects you, God does not love you. It does not mean all of these. It can simply mean that this is not the will of God for you. Look at the open doors. But, also, I want to warn you here that not every open door is necessarily the will of God. That is why you need to follow the mentioned steps not only this one step.
—H.E. Metropolitan Youssef, How to Know the Will of God
It can be one or two questions, or more; write all of them and then sit in silence waiting for God to speak to you. Be assured that when you train yourself, then an idea or a thought will come to your mind, which you have never thought about, and it will give you peace.
—H.E. Metropolitan Youssef, How to Know the Will of God
I encourage you to be in church every single time the doors are open. This will lead you to be more involved with godly people and with the community of the believers, and this will help you more and more to discover and to discern the will of God.
—H.E. Metropolitan Youssef, How to Know the Will of God
But, you see, in this prayer I made the decision and I want God to execute it for me. The right way of prayer, the second type, is to ask God, “What do You want me to do? I am here to do Your will.” This is the prayer of St. Paul before his conversion when he met the Lord on the road to Damascus. He asked God,
“Lord, what do You want me to do?”
—H.E. Metropolitan Youssef, How to Know the Will of God