I realize that we all – by definition – struggle with sin. But what if you’re someone who habitually commits X sin without any intention of stopping? I know all a believer has to do is ask in order for the Lord to forgive them, but I can’t help but feel I have no “right” to ask for forgiveness if my heart isn’t set on gradually erasing that sin out of my life; in other words, I’m asking the Lord to forgive me my sins, but not asking Him to help me with the strength to overcome them. Is that in itself another sin to confess?

In 2 Peter 1:5-10, Peter says to make your calling and election sure by growing in your faith so one does not “fall away”. Does this mean I could lose my salvation?

Re: James 5:16. I am wondering how one prays an “effectual fervent” prayer? Does God require a certain level of emotion (fervency) to see prayer answered? How does one motivate oneself to such a level of intensity? Does it apply to certain kinds of prayer or all types?

I was listening to a program in which the host was listing things that can hinder our prayers. He said that if a wife prays for her husband to be saved just because it would make life easier for her, her prayers would be hindered. He also said that if we pray for the salvation of others for any other reason than that they would stop rebelling against the Lord and that the purpose of their salvation was solely for His glory, our prayers will be hindered. When I pray for others to be saved it is because I don’t want them to go to hell. Does praying with that as my motive hinder my prayers for their salvation? Thanks for taking the time to read and answer my question.

Re: How Important Is Asking? Reading this made me ponder on my own circumstances when I got saved. Someone told me about Jesus one night years ago and I immediately became full of joy and excitement at the thought of asking the Lord to be my savior and to forgive my sins. I believed at that moment that Jesus was the only one who could save me. However, being a shy person I waited until I was alone (that same night) before I asked Jesus to save me and forgive my sins. So, my question is “was I saved in between the time I was first told and believed it until I officially asked for it less than an hour later?”

How important is the asking for salvation, really? I mean, if you know you’re a sinner in need of a savior and believe that Jesus died for your sins, that would be enough, right? Do you still need to ask for salvation to be saved? In John 3:16 it says that whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life, which would indicate that belief is all that’s needed and not necessarily the asking, is this a correct interpretation? What is your view on this?

You state on your web site that after the tribulation, the church will inhabit the New Jerusalem, which sort of hovers over the earth. That’s what I have always believed, too. But Thessalonians 4:17 says: “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” If Jesus is ruling on earth during the Millennium and we shall forever be with the Lord, doesn’t that mean we will be on earth with Him?

My question is mainly why I feel so “unspecial” to God. I’ve been a Christian for over 20 years and God truly is my first love. Nothing is more important to me than Him. I couldn’t care less about wealth, beauty, fame, success, etc.

Please don’t think I’m tooting my own horn- not at all! This is also for other Christians in the same boat who are committed to Him and seek Him to the extent I do and still feel rejected. It actually comes down to this: I have tried SO HARD to actually build a relationship with God but feel like I’m nothing to Him.

I’ve never had anything miraculous like an angelic encounter, a vision, or some supernatural experience from God that so many others claim to have. I have begged and prayed for over 20 years that God would reveal Himself to me and make Himself real to me.

To be honest, it makes me bitter because I feel like we’re nothing to Him. I know it isn’t true but in my humanity, it is how I truly feel. I still love Him but feel like there is a wall between us. I have prayed, pleaded and begged. Nothing. I have told God I am scared and to please minister to me. Nothing. Then I hear of people who claim to have had dozens of visions from God and angelic encounters and how God has come to them and revealed himself to them.

Why not me and why not so many others who have sought out God with all their heart? Why do some receive such a blessing while others are left struggling with our faith and feel rejected?

I’m not going to lie. I am a minister, love God with all my being, and pray and read my Bible for hours a day. Nothing.

I was ministering just the other day to a Christian. He actually told me that God loves Him more and considers him more important than me because he has had several visions since childhood while I have had nothing. WHAT?!

I’m terrified Christianity isn’t real (and that I have wasted my time being a minister when I don’t even know for sure), disheartened, and feel so rejected.

One morning during my prayer time, a certain person, who I prayed for often, kept coming to my mind. It was a very persistent urging to pray for him, which I did. An hour later he was dead. Why do you think the Lord urged me to pray for someone who He knew was about to die?

Hello, and thank you again for your wonderful website. I read it every day! It has given me so much comfort and new-found knowledge of the scriptures.

I was perusing through the Q&A section and read an article on prayer-veils, specifically that women should cover their heads when praying or prophesying. I’ve done some more reading on the matter, and I believe as you do, that it isn’t just “custom” but an obligation out of respect and reverence. Which then brings me to my real concerns/questions.

I talk to God all the time. Especially when I am in the car, or strolling my little one out-side etc… But I don’t “pray” all the time. I have tried to make a habit of praying once a day, but I’m not yet there consistently. I guess I have always treated prayers differently. When I pray, I find a quiet place where I can kneel and bow my head and be formal and reverent, but I would hate to think I was being disrespectful during my one-way “chats” as I go about my daily business! So needless to say, am I being disrespectful when “talking” to God with my head uncovered?

I don’t want to stop casually talking to God. But what’s the difference between talking to God and praying to God? Should all of my conversing be in “prayer” style? Does he not hear me, or answer me unless I pray to him appropriately?