Answers

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

My parents are always getting after me because I'm in my mid-30s and haven't gotten married yet.

My parents are always getting after me because I'm in my mid-30s and haven't gotten married yet, and they think I should (I'm their only son). I hope to get married someday, but I'm a very busy person, and also I haven't found the right person yet. How can I get them to back off?

I've never had anything to do with God, but a few months ago I became a Christian. What do I do now?

I've never had anything to do with God, but a few months ago I became a Christian. What do I do now? I turned my life over to Jesus listening to a radio program, but I've never been a member of a church or anything.

We lost almost everything in Hurricane Katrina, and with Thanksgiving coming up I'm having a hard time being thankful.

I hope you won't think I'm trying to put you on the spot, but we lost almost everything in Hurricane Katrina, and with Thanksgiving coming up I'm having a hard time being thankful about much of anything. What would you say to someone like me?

What is Advent? Billy Graham responds

We moved last year and got involved in a new church that's more formal in its worship than our old church. Now they are preparing for what they call the "advent" season, and I'm too embarrassed to admit my ignorance and ask someone what it is. Maybe you can explain it to me.

My son has been in and out of prison most of his life, and he just gets angry whenever I try to help him or give him advice. What can I do?

My heart is broken because my son has been in and out of prison most of his life, and he just gets angry whenever I try to help him or give him advice. Where did I go wrong? I feel so guilty. I pray and pray for him, but I'm at my wit's end. What can I do?

I have been married for three months, and I'm wondering if we made a bad mistake. Wouldn't it be better to get out now?

My husband and I have been married for three months, and the last few weeks all we've done is argue. Now I'm wondering if we made a bad mistake by getting married. If that's true, wouldn't it be better to get out now instead of letting it go on and on? I'm really crushed over this.

Our son turned his back on us years ago because we didn't approve of the way he was living, and now he wants to come home for Thanksgiving.

Our son turned his back on us several years ago because we didn't approve of the way he was living, and we lost track of him. But the other day he called and said he wanted to come home for Thanksgiving. We'd love to see him, of course, but as far as we know, nothing has changed in his life. What advice would you give us?

We give some money to our grandchildren for their birthdays, and we've never received thanks from them.

Every year, we give some money to our grandchildren for their birthdays, and we've never received a note or even a call from them thanking us. Why aren't people as grateful as they used to be?

How can any intelligent person take the Bible seriously?

How can any intelligent person take the Bible seriously? I guess it's great literature, but people then didn't have the scientific knowledge we have, and I can't see how anyone could base their life on a bunch of myths and legends.

Why is it so hard to be a Christian and do what's right?

Why is it so hard to be a Christian? I made a decision for Christ several years ago, but it's been an uphill battle ever since trying to keep my feet on the straight and narrow, and I can't say I've always won. Why is it so hard to do what's right?

I am 7 years old. Will God hear my prayers, or does He just hear my parents' prayers?

I am 7 years old. Will God hear my prayers, or does He just hear my parents' prayers? We always pray at the dinner table before we eat, but when it's my turn I'm afraid God won't hear me.

What exactly do you mean by a "commitment to Jesus"? Is it like getting married?

I started reading your column recently, and I've noticed that you often tell people they need to make a commitment to Jesus. What exactly do you mean? Is this kind of like getting married, or something like that?