Is there something wrong with me?

[Guest livingforchrist]

Hey. I am a christian, and I love God, but I don't pray a lot. Sometimes I don't like to pray. I don't know why though. Is this really bad?

I like to drink too, but I am under age. Why do I still want to do un-christ-like things?

[followerofjesus]

There is nothing wrong w/ you just trust in the lord & know his ways are true.

[Born Again]

Hey. I am a christian, and I love God, but I don't pray a lot. Sometimes I don't like to pray. I don't know why though. Is this really bad?

I like to drink too, but I am under age. Why do I still want to do un-christ-like things?

Hey! This may sound personal, but are you truly living for God? I mean, is He 1# and your only desire is to please Him and live your life for Him? Not trying to intrude, but I was a Christian too, loved the Lord, yada yada yada, but He wasn't my 1# priority. I only prayed when I needed Him, not just to talk and praise Him. I also drank so I had no witness whatsoever. When I was born again on March 1st, the Holy Spirit showed me how I was living was wrong and He convicted me. He turned my life around- I immediately stopped drinking and cussing with no effort from me! That is, the Lord changed me- I take no credit for that. I want to live my life for Him and Him alone!

Part of the reason why you still want to do un Christ-like things is because you don't pray enough for Him to show you what to do and how to live. God will tell you these things in the stillness of prayer- ask for conviction, and repent. Then using God's strength, avoid that sin again! Think about your witness- how does it look to be drinking? Is that how you would want to look to non-believers? Also- you're underage- you're also breaking man's laws. I'm seriously not trying to come off rude or accusing, but I feel I can speak from experience- and think of the testimony you'll have!

Don't avoid prayer- God wants to be with you. That is your time alone with Him- He loves it! He loves to spend time with you! And the most awesome thing is, He's there anytime you need Him and He's always listening! He's awesome! PM anytime you need to talk.

God Bless,

Shannon

[rockswillcryout]

I believe we continue to sin because it's our nature to sin. The world tempts us with sin, and Satan will do whatever he can to make us fail. The Christian life is not a free ticket to ride sinless.

Paul said it very well in Romans 7:

I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. (The Message)

I sin despite my desire to follow God. too. I love Him, I do all the things I'm supposed to, and yet still I fail. It's because I'm human and weak. But in our weakness, God makes us stronger! Only Jesus can give us the stength to overcome sin.

Sometimes prayer is hard. I've recently went through a terrible time where I just couldn't pray. I felt uncomfortable and awful every time I tried. Eventually what worked was me trying to to be so formal. Now I just talk. I express myself to Him like I do with my best friend. That doesn't make me feel so uncertain. Be encouraged and know that Jesus is with you and ready to help you through making those hard choices.

You're not alone - many of us have felt the same way you do. Keep sharing with us if you can and we'll try out best to encourage you!

[Orr v'emet]

You have to choose who you will serve. If your not living for God then you are living for Satan. Let's face it, underage drinking is a sin. It's breaking the rules that the government has set forth. We won't get on the topic of drinking when you are of age...don't want to start that. The best way to avoid doing this is not to put yourself in situations where you will be tempted. That can be hard. It can mean a change in friends, not having anything to do on a friday night etc.

As far as prayer goes just remember that prayer is not always blocking out time and getting on your knees. The bible says to pray without ceasing. This means having your thoughts stayed on Him and being in constant communication with Him. For instance, driving down the road and you notice how beautiful the sky is and thanking God for his creation etc. (you get the idea) While having a prayer time is important. it's also important to have that continual prayer time as well. Born Again was right. Prayer time is the time that you can talk to God about your struggles with sin and ask for His strength and guidance. Living a christian life will never be easy. The bible says that in this life we will have troubles (problems, temptations etc) but it also says take heart because He has overcome the world. If you have a heart that truly desires to do the will of God, He will honor that and help you. By the way, Satan knows what your weaknesses are and he will tempt you but if you take time to pray when he is trying to tempt you he will eventually stop because he will know that you are going to stop and focus on God and he will have no authority. Hope this helps....

[Guest Called]

I believe we continue to sin because it's our nature to sin. The world tempts us with sin, and Satan will do whatever he can to make us fail. The Christian life is not a free ticket to ride sinless.

So your saying it is okay for him to continue to drink? Just because we have a sinful nature? I don't think so.

Born Again is right. I don't feel like praying sometimes, but I pray anyway. It isn't about what I want to do or not do, it is about doing what is right.

LivingforChrist, read carefully to what Born Again said, she is completely right!

Debbie

[Orr v'emet]

Sometimes prayer is hard. I've recently went through a terrible time where I just couldn't pray. I felt uncomfortable and awful every time I tried. Eventually what worked was me trying to to be so formal. Now I just talk. I express myself to Him like I do with my best friend. That doesn't make me feel so uncertain. Be encouraged and know that Jesus is with you and ready to help you through making those hard choices.

It's strange that you say this because our preacher just spoke about this on Sunday. He commented that sometimes we will find it hard to pray and we will not always know how to pray. He went on to say that it is important in these times to have mature godly friends who know how to pray and can pray for you on your behalf.

[Guest Called]

It's strange that you say this because our preacher just spoke about this on Sunday. He commented that sometimes we will find it hard to pray and we will not always know how to pray. He went on to say that it is important in these times to have mature godly friends who know how to pray and can pray for you on your behalf.

To elaborate on this, the Bible says in Romans 8:26, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

Prayer isn't some grandious thing with big words and thou's and thee's, it is simply communication. Like rockswillcryout said, just talk to God like you would a friend. That is all you have to do, it is so simple!

Debbie

[rockswillcryout]

So your saying it is okay for him to continue to drink? Just because we have a sinful nature? I don't think so.

No, I never said that. Did you read the rest of my post? I wasn't giving excuses, just reasons.

[dwinkjr]

Hey. I am a christian, and I love God, but I don't pray a lot. Sometimes I don't like to pray. I don't know why though. Is this really bad?

I like to drink too, but I am under age. Why do I still want to do un-christ-like things?

I think what everyone is tryin to say is... it sounds to me like you may still be young in Christ and like all of us have alot of growth to come... Growth comes by Prayer, understanding, and obedience ot the word... My suggestion is to pray often and study the word of God.. the Holy Spirit will guide you from there..