For all Christians...?

Question

Does it ever feel like you don't feel saved?? Do you ever think, what if I'm not actually saved?? I'm not the best Christian, but I have an undying passion to get closer to God every day...I want to know more of him and it's down to me to do that I know...but sometimes it feels like, I'm not like the rest of the Christian family, I don't feel as deep and spiritual as them then other times I do...I was bought up in the Brethren and they don't agree with women speaking in church so we were never taught to pray - now I'm in quite a charasmatic church, my boyfriends prayers compared to my prayers make me sound so empty!! Any tips!?

That's two questions in one!

Also, and this will sound awful, but I just hear about all these Christians saying how much they love Jesus, and I sometimes feel I love Him but most of the time, I don't understand how they feel...I'm a bit worried its something to do with trust issues I have...I just don't feel like I have this huge love for God the way others do and it worries me..

Answer 1

My heart bleeds for you - you are in exactly the same position as I was twenty years ago. I had said the prayer giving my life to Jesus, I went up to every altar call, but I just didn't FEEL as though I'd been saved. I remember when my boyfriend (later husband) explained why we were a good couple he said "Because you're a Christian." I thought "Am I? Oh good." I really didn't feel like it.

I started in a Brethren church too, and later joined an Assemblies of God congregation where I got very depressed because I didn't speak in tongues like everyone else. They prayed over me really fiercely a lot, and it made no difference. I felt like such a hypocrite. They were so spirit-filled, and I really didn't belong among them.

But the answerer above is right. Maybe you haven't found the right church yet. Jesus finally came into my heart in a very real way ten years ago. Feel free to contact me if you'd like me to send you the full story.

Answer 2

You've gone from a church where you were not allowed to speak to one where you can think for yourself and say your own prayers. This is going to be weird for you and is understable, prayer isn't something we learn, it is our thoughts, needs, wants and desires. If Christianity is what you truly believe in your faith will grow, it sounds like the Brethren maybe stunted this part of your spiritual development. You are now allowed to take your faith into your own hands, enjoy it and make it your own.

As for the prayers just be open and honest, you don't need to move your lips to pray, you can do it silently! Don't compare your prayers to those of others because it is a very personal thing and its not a competition!

This may not be the church for you, maybe you would feel comfortable in slightly more conservative church.

Another thing, you don't have be in church to pray! You may feel a little uncomfortable in those surroundings, you can pray anywhere and anytime you like!

Answer 3

Hey, if God wanted all our prayers to be the same, he would not have allowed so many different churches. God loves you; he doesn't care about the words in your prayers, but what is in your heart. If you truly love him and desire to know more about him, he will honor that. I often feel the same way. Sometimes I wonder, "I know that He loves me, and that I love him, but is that enough? I want to know more. Am I really saved?" My mom told me, "If you have been baptized and have a personal relationship with Jesus, then you have been born again, and are saved." She became a Christian at 40, so she desired to know everything about Him. I have been in the Lord since I was 3, and I still want to know more about God, Jesus, and heaven. I read the bible daily, and read a lot of Christian-based books, ones that really motivate my spirit to do what Jesus would be proud to see me do. I am learning more every day. If you really want to know more about God, he will bring into your life the right method to do just that; in his time, not ours. His timing is perfect. HE is perfect.

Answer 4

I would suggest not being so hard on yourself. Jesus said that the road that leads to salvation is narrow and hard, which is why so few find it. The problem is that we are imperfect human beings who are trying to follow the teachings of the One who is perfect. That is why the Bible emphasis frequent prayers to God and letting Him know that" Well, I tried as best I could but I don't think I did very well. I need your help and forgiveness." If you are sincere in your prayer you should feel God's forgiveness. As far as comparing your prayer to that of your boyfriend, re-read the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican found in Luke 18: 9-14. While the Publican's prayer wasn't as "charismatic" as the Pharisee's it was more acceptable.The lesson here is that God wants sincerity and not fanciness.

Answer 5

Yes, it does feel so many times that I'm not saved but we shouldn't trust in our feelings because feelings changes instead trust in the word of God that never changes. When God said you are saved, means you are actually saved. It's like feeling we are alone, but God said, I am with you where ever you go (De.31:6) so we can either rely on our feelings or rely on what God said. Faith is not about feelings, its how you trust God. Never compare your prayers to anyone, you don't need too. Just pray, it's how we communicate with God. God listens to the worship of your heart when you talk to Him. He loves you and always long for your companionship.

Answer 6

The first and foremost responsibility of every Christian is to come to know and love God.

Different people require different approaches to this type of thing.

Prayer helps. Study helps. Community helps.

The best way to get to know God is to give of yourself to others, in his name. Volunteer. Become a missionary. Join the choir. Work at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.

When you run out of time and/or money, ask God to give you some more. Then give all that away, too. He won't let you down.

By doing God's work in the world, you'll begin to make some important breakthroughs, and begin to grow steadily closer to him.

That's what Jesus really meant when he said "Ask and you will receive, knock and the door will be opened."

For answers to your questions about God post your question at www.askmeaboutgod.org and receive a clear, complete, correct and confidential answer via email in about one day.

Answer 7

It's alright if you don't feel saved, we call it guilt feelings. But the mere fact that you feel that way implies that you are a good person.

Nobody need to teach you how to pray. Jesus already taught us. "The Lords Prayer". Just dont pray with too many words and avoid repetition. Before you pray, God already knows what you need. Don't show to others that you are praying, go in a secluded place where you can pray with sincerity.

Answer 8

Just the way you wrote and asked questions, this is exactly how you start your relationship w/the LORD. Just talk to him and as you attend your new house of the LORD you will learn about him.
Don't think the "christian family" is how you are suppose to be like. You have not been to their house. We are not perfect, we slip everyday and at that moment we ask for forgiveness and HE does, because he loves us so much. You pray just the way you want, just as long it comes from your heart.
And yes some of us feel we are not saved only because we get confused. Which is so stupid. We get stressed, we think too much, sometimes our mind wonders, we wish foolishly, and and you have to know it is only Satan that plays on our emotions and he is the father of confusion and the lie. But when you nip it and rebuke or demand him away from you, the peace comes with the security from the LORD that you will see him SOON
YOUR PASSION FOR GOD WILL LEAD YOU CLOSER TO HIM, HE IS A GENTLEMAN AND IS WAITING FOR YOU TO REACH OUT AND MY SISTER, YOU WILL NEVER WANT TO LET GO!
I love JESUS so much. He takes care of me and provides so many miracles for me, he really spoils me, and I know how much he loves me and you too.

Answer 9

Hello from a sister in Christ. One of the great things about Christianity is that our feelings about it can be often ignored. I mean by that, that we can KNOW the truth of our salvation because it says in the Bible that once we have given our lives to Jesus (as you very clearly have done) we are saved FOR ALL TIME! The promises of God are clear and we must learn to stand on these promises and not allow the voice of the enemy, who will whisper lies into your ear, to rob us of our peace on that score.
As for praying, I found it terribly hard to pray out loud for a long time after a became a Christian. Then one evening my house group leader asked me to pray out for a certain issue, and the group just closed their eyes and waited, they didn't allow me to back out! So I babbled and burbled my way through a long ramblling prayer, and they all encouraged me greatly at the end! My husband finds it hard to pray at all. It will come in time, ask someone to pray with you that God will break through in this area of your life.
I've been a Christian 4 years now, and although I've run my own house group, seen people healed through my prayers and been told my mission by God, I still go through 'dry' periods when I don't feel close to God. If you read the Bible you will find that this happens to everyone, even King David, some of his psalms are crying out to God to stop hiding from him!
Relax and enjoy the journey. You are seeking to get closer to God and it will come.

Answer 10

your not an empty christian your just one who has questions which ALL of us do i say all because no one knows all that there is to God except God himself and this questioning nature is somthing (i believe) he gave to us as a tool to get closer to him. You shouldnt feel intimidated that others are more or less saved then you. Were all equal just some are a little farther down the path then others and i too get doubts sometimes that i am not saved or have commited one too many a sin for his forgivness but then you have to remind yourself he is GOD he is all powwerful, all loving, and most important for us sinners down here ALL FORGIVING. He sent jesus here to take away our sins and you and me and everyone else who accepts and beieves in him were saved when he did. im sorry your first church held you back in such a way but belive me your prayer no matter how small or empty it may seem to others matters to you and to him in return, he knows the wants of your mind but most importantly he knows the needs of your heart and he fufill them, they are yours no one elses and he loves that, it makes you you and he created you as you so pray on and let God guide you in your life, God bless

Answer 11

Prayer is your communication with the Creator (I mean the creator of allow hat you see and don't see). There is no formality for that except your honoring him as the Creator. If you are saved - sure there is change in your life, else, you are not. If you have sincerely repented for the wrong doings of past life, the saved confidence will rule your mind.

Each church is teaching its own way of prayers. Don't listen to any of them. Just start speaking to your Lord as you speak to any of your close friends. It will make difference in your life.