FAQs for Christians
Prayer-Praise has developed this section to help answer questions and strengthen Christians in their walk and belief in daily living. Have a burning question? Email us about it. We may list it in this section.
My faith is not strong, I have doubts about God, about Jesus.
If we are honest with ourselves and others, we all have thoughts or have expressed doubt at one time (maybe multiple times) in our life. Doubt is natural, whether we are in a spiritual valley or on the proverbial mountain top. Doubt has a way of creeping in. Doubt can invade us in moments of weakness, in our moments of peace, even after the exhilaration of a spiritual victory. One thing for certain, doubt is always lurking close by. Some of most revered biblical figures have had their moments or periods of doubt. This is true of both Old Testament and New Testament persons.
Old Testament example:
The prophet Elijah had one of the greatest “mountain top experience” recorded in the Old Testament followed by one of the “lowest spiritual valley (cave)” of doubt experience. 1 Kings Chapters 18 and 19 tells his story. In summary, Elijah personally saw God’s spectacular display of power on Mount Carmel. Next Elijah’s performed a superhuman feat by running faster than King Ahab’s chariot. Elijah’s life is subsequently threatened by Queen Jezebel. Elijah then runs for his life; hides in a cave far away in the wilderness. God reveals himself to Elijah not through an earthquake, or windstorm, or a fire but in a small voice. You are encouraged to read this account in its entirety.
New Testament example:
In the New Testament, other than Jesus, no person is greater than John the Baptist. Yet, even John the Baptist had his moment of doubt about Jesus.
Remember that John had baptized Jesus; saw the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus after His baptism; heard God the Father say how pleased He was with His Son Jesus. Later John refers to Jesus as the “Lamb of God”. After all of these experiences, John the Baptist still had a period of doubt. It is recorded in Matthew Chapter 11, verses 2 -6, NKJV:
“When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent a message by his disciples and asked Him, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind see, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news. And if anyone is not offended because of Me, he is blessed.”
Jesus personally addressed the lack of faith or doubt in the encounter with the father of the son possessed by demons. Many of us can relate with the father’s belief / unbelief as detailed this account! Mark Chapter 9, verses 21 – 24 NKJV: “How long has this been happening to him? Jesus asked the father. “From childhood”, he said. “And many times, it has thrown him into the fire or water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help him.” Then Jesus said to him, “’If You can’? Everything is possible to the one who believes.” Immediately, the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe! Help my unbelief.”
Editorial note: It is important to note that following this conversation, Jesus did not criticize or rebuke the father for his unbelief. Jesus went on to heal the boy and cast the demon out forever. We can take comfort in the fact that it is normal for us to have disbelief, after all this is just another ploy of Satan. We can take even greater comfort that if we confess our unbelief that Jesus will help us to overcome it!
Does God want me to have eternal life?
Absolutely, God wants you and I to have eternal life!
John 3:16-18 NKJV plainly says: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but through Him the world might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the only begotten Son of God.”
1 Timothy 2:3-6 NKJV “This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human, who gave Himself – a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.” Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”