Answers

Read thoughtful responses to a wide assortment of questions from Billy Graham’s My Answer column and other resources.

Whenever I'm praying for someone, I don't tell them I'm praying for them. Am I wrong to keep quiet?

Whenever I hear about a friend who's facing a health problem I always pray for them. But I've always been reluctant to tell people I'm praying for them, because I don't want them to think I'm better than they are, or that I'm bragging about how spiritual I am. Am I wrong to keep quiet?

I'm sure we ought to help people in poor countries, but is sending missionaries really the best way to help them?

I'm sure we ought to help people in poor countries who need health care and things like that, but is sending missionaries really the best way to help them? It seems to me that groups like the Red Cross or the United Nations can make a bigger impact because they have more resources.

If Jesus were living on earth today instead of 2,000 years ago, what do you think He'd do differently?

If Jesus were living on earth today instead of 2,000 years ago, what do you think He'd do differently? The world has changed a lot in the last 2,000 years, and I wonder how He would adapt His message to our times.

Doesn't the Bible teach that God is the father of the whole human race? And doesn't that mean everyone will go to heaven when they die?

Doesn't the Bible teach that God is the father of the whole human race? And if that's the case, doesn't that mean that everyone will go to heaven when they die, no matter who they are, since we are all God's children?

What does God look like?

What does God look like? Our 5-year-old son keeps asking this and I don't know what to tell him. I have an idea in my mind of what God must be like—kind of elderly and with a long beard—but I know that's probably something I just made up.

Many years ago, I vowed to God that I'd do something, but I never did it. Have I committed an unforgivable sin?

Many years ago, I vowed to God that I'd do something which seemed important at the time, but I never did it because my circumstances changed and it wasn't possible. But I've been haunted all these years with the fear that I committed an unforgivable sin. Is this right? I hope not.

Our church's pattern of worship never varies from week to week. isn't there a danger that church will become so familiar that we'll forget what it's supposed to mean?

We moved recently, and the church we're going to now has a very formal pattern of worship which never varies from week to week (unlike our old church). We like the people and the pastor, but isn't there a danger that we'll become so familiar with what we do every week that we'll forget what it's supposed to mean?

I just don't get anything out of reading the Bible. Why should I keep reading?

My aunt (who's in her 90s) still reads her Bible every day, and has for many years. I've tried to follow her example, but to be honest, the next day I can't even remember what I read the day before. I just don't get anything out of it. Why should I keep reading?

Do you think people in heaven remember what went on during their lifetimes on earth?

Do you think people in heaven remember what went on during their lifetimes on earth? I'd hate to think my husband (who died last year) has forgotten all about me or doesn't remember the happiness we had together.

How can I make myself love people who are very hard to love?

I understand the Bible says we ought to love everyone, but some of my relatives are very difficult, and when we got together this Christmas it wasn't very pleasant. How can I make myself love people who are very hard to love?

I hope you'll warn people not to think divorce is the easy way out, because it isn't.

I thought divorce was the answer, but I realize now it wasn't. It's too late to go back and change things (my ex-wife has remarried anyway), but I hope you'll warn people not to think divorce is the easy way out, because it isn't. I should have tried harder to keep my marriage together.

Why do so many churches have problems and conflicts?

Why do so many churches have problems and conflicts? In our case, it comes from older members who don't want to welcome some of the new people who've moved into our area, but it could be almost anything. Why is this?