Answers

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

My uncle lived a terrible life, but on his deathbed he claimed he received Christ and was forgiven. Why should he go to heaven?

I had an uncle who lived a terrible life—fathering a couple of illegitimate children, treating people like dirt, you name it. Well, on his deathbed he claimed he received Christ and was forgiven, and believed he'd be going to heaven. He seemed happy, but was he right? Why should he go to heaven just like someone who's been a Christian all their life?

I'm in my 80s and crippled from arthritis and other problems. Why is God keeping me here? I'd rather be in heaven.

I used to be very active in my church and I taught Sunday school for over 30 years, but now I'm in my 80s and crippled from arthritis and other problems, and I can't even get out. Why is God keeping me here? I'd rather be in heaven. Is it wrong to feel this way?

My husband and I are very disillusioned with the churches we've been in. We've about given up. Any advice?

My husband and I are very disillusioned with the churches we've been in. We've moved around a lot in the last 10 years, and almost every church we've gone to either had some kind of conflict going on or else it just didn't have much to offer. I know you tell people that it's important to go to church, but we've about given up. Any advice?

I read about some missionaries in a foreign country who were captured by some rebels and beaten. Why would they put themselves in such a dangerous place?

Recently, I read about some missionaries in a foreign country who were captured by some rebels there and then beaten and left for dead. Why would they put themselves in such a dangerous place?

I've prayed and prayed for God to heal me, but nothing happens. Why won't God answer?

In recent months, I've had a real problem with arthritis, and some days I can hardly get out of bed. My doctor tells me I need to get on some kind of medicine but I don't want to do that. I've prayed and prayed for God to heal me, but nothing happens. Why won't God answer?

What do you think is the greatest need in our churches today? Do you think it's better preaching, new styles of worship, more youth work, or what?

What do you think is the greatest need in our churches today? Do you think it's better preaching, new styles of worship, more youth work, or what? I'm on the board of our church, and we've been debating this recently.

I'm in jail right now, and I've seen several guys supposedly get religion here, but they admit privately that the only reason they're doing it is to impress the parole board.

I don't have any use for hypocrites. I'm in jail right now, and I've seen several guys supposedly get religion here, but they admit privately that the only reason they're doing it is to impress the parole board. They're just phonies.

I have confessed every sin to God that I can think of, but what about the ones I can't remember?

I have confessed every sin to God that I can think of, but what about the ones I can't remember? I'm sure I've forgotten some things I've done that God didn't like. I'd like to know God has forgiven all my sins, but how can I?

Our granddaughter turned her life over to God, but now she says she doesn't even believe in God. How do you explain such a big flip-flop?

We're very concerned about our granddaughter. She's been in a lot of trouble, but six months ago it sounded like she had really changed and turned her life over to God. Now, she says she doesn't even believe in God, and she's back into her old ways. How do you explain such a big flip-flop?

How often should I pray?

How often should I pray? I try to pray in the mornings after I first get up, but sometimes I forget or something else comes up, and then I go through the whole day without praying, although I know I shouldn't.

How should I deal with someone who wants nothing to do with God, and cuts me off if I mention anything about God or Jesus or church?

How should I deal with someone who wants nothing to do with God, and cuts me off if I mention anything about God or Jesus, or even something about my church? I work with this person every day, and she and I get along fine except for this.

How do you know the Bible isn't just a series of stories or myths that people made up? Maybe Jesus didn't even live.

How do you know the Bible isn't just a series of stories or myths that people made up? Maybe Jesus didn't even live, for all we know today.