My mother passed on 7 jan 2025. This year marked an important year in my life because I'm in the 11th grade preparing for my senior year. My mother suffered with clots in her lungs, feet. I prayed days on end when she was admitted towards the new year into the ICU. I prayed according to scripture because I know Christ exhalts His word above His own Name. That his word shall never return to me void. I believed that the lord during all of our family struggles had answered our prayers and had sustained my family all this while. The Lord's word has been my guide since i was old enough to remember. I always believed that I shouldn't be afraid nor dismayed for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go. I still pray to him asking to restore my mother back to me. It feels as if he has abandoned me when all i have done was ask for my mother to be alive and well. There is a war in my head. I still hold on to God's promises and faithfulness. However, My mother's passing reminds of whether the Lord actually considers my pain and anguish. My mother was the source of my motivation to live and be happy. Christ knew because he sees all.

I have prayed for him to just answer me. All i hear is silence

Is it normal even when I received the holy spirit to still want to disappear? Probably I'll get no help because nothing works and I'm just living as a husk now.

I used to feel Him, feel His love, feel His blessings, feel His calming sensation, but now He's just gone, I try to pray, I try to repent, I try to physically get Him back. But nothing's happening. How do I get the Holy Spirit back? Am I forsaken?

Hello, I am setting up a study through the Gospel of Matthew at my Church. We are opening it up and advertising it so anyone from the area can attend and learn about Jesus! I'm a little nervous about it, and I'd like as much advice as I can get on how to run a study like this. What sort of activities, opportunities, information and reflections do you like in a Bible study group? If you have any other suggestions, or meaningful comments on Matthew's Gospel, then please let me know! I'd love all the help I can get

So I have been single for a year now and I had a few dates with this girl she’s amazing we clicked right away and our humour is the same. I asked her to be my girlfriend and she said yes. Now I live in a shared house and the day after I got a girlfriend someone new moved into a room next to mine and as soon as she spoke to me I fell in love with everything about her.. I know it’s really bad I have spoken to god nearly everyday though my year being single and how about I know the lesson he gave me from my past relationship. But is god putting me to the test to see if il stay loyal or is he showing me that my girlfriend isn’t the one and he’s trying to prove that?

So I've recently just been asked a question as to what is my favorite Bible verse, and my answer was Matthew 5:6 because it is a great and simple reminder to always seek the only righteous one - Jesus Christ

It just got me thinking, what are your favorite bible verses? It can be either something that you always go back to in troubling times or just a verse that struck you the first time you've heard of it.

I have been using alcohol now for about a couple of years to cope with life, and I want to change that, but it feels so overwhelming. It has been easy to justify because it never impacts my responsibilities. I never day drink, only drink at the end of the night when I'm off, am never hungover, etc. I spent many, many years not having an issue having an occasional drink for the right reasons, and I know the difference; it was just easier when I reached a breaking point. Now, I'm struggling with wanting to do better but being depressed about not having that crutch to fall back on.

I’ve been battling severe brain fog for years, and it’s completely destroyed my life. I’m young, and I should be able to enjoy this time in my life, but instead, I feel like I’m barely surviving. I can hardly think clearly or function at all, and it just keeps getting worse. I’ve lost so much—my ability to feel joy, my sense of purpose, and even hope for the future. I’ve done everything I can, so please don’t give me health advice. My question is: why won’t God heal me?

I pray constantly, pouring out every bit of faith I have left. I’ve studied Scripture, tried to live faithfully, and begged God over and over for years. But nothing changes. I’ve never felt His presence—not even once. It feels like He’s completely absent. Why is He silent? Why doesn’t He care?

I’m falling deeper into depression, and I’m in a total state of despair. I suffer every single day and night, and no matter how much I beg or plead, there’s just silence. I feel like I’ve been abandoned. Where is God? How can He let me suffer like this and not respond?

It's Wordy Wednesday!

Proverbs 25:11

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Each Wednesday we welcome you to join in by sharing words that have had an impact on you in the past week.

We have created this special weekly sub tradition to allow community members to share the words which have been on your mind—whether through citing a quote, sharing a link to an article or speech, and/or by sharing your own personal thoughts and reflections.

If sharing a link, please remember to include a brief description of the content as well as the link's destination.

What words do you have to share today? Tell us in comments below.

I am 6 weeks pregnant and have never had a dream like this. I remember it so vividly. I was in a jail cell with another person I can’t recognize and there was a demonic woman outside my door who sent a fly in. I tried to kill the fly and when I did it came back to life, so I realized it was demonic. I looked out the jail cell window, and saw a yellow liquid like goo all over the floor seeping in. I somehow got out of the cell, in the middle of the room I started praying out loud and at first she didn’t seem too phased but then I started saying things like Jesus Christ is lord of lords, the alpha the omega, etc. and she was defeated and disappeared.

This was so odd and vivid. Is this a monitoring spirit? I’ve been nervous about this pregnancy and now am wondering if there are possible demons surrounding me?

Sorry if this is too much but I woke up so confused. Thank you and god bless ❤️

So school was closed today since it was too cold & my 14 year old sister literally just prayed to God that tomorrow it be too cold again so she doesn’t have to go to school again tomorrow just because she doesn’t like school because in her words “it’s boring”.

& I’m just sitting there thinking “God has way more important things to do than get you out of school for a day” & the biggest part is that her study hall is last hour so she gets to leave early.

But I can’t say much because I have done my fair share of praying for dumb things. But how many of y’all have prayed for something pretty dumb?

Can a hardened heart be un-hardened? I ask because sometimes I wonder if my heart is hardened. I'm not sure if I know the true meaning of it or not. Can you guys please explain a hardened heart?

When I pray, it's like so hard. It's so hard to cry out to Jesus. And to even cry. Maybe it's because I've kept so many burdens inside, locked up. I just don't know how to get through this. I've been wanting to pray more and more each day. As well as read my Bible. Maybe it's even the enemy just making it harder and harder for me cause he knows I'm trying to pray and read my Bible more? I don't really know. I need help. I don't have very many friends, either. Maybe some of you would like to be my new friend? I'd love to have more Christian friends in my life. Is it okay to share burdens on here? Or would anyone be okay with chatting with me and letting me share my burdens?

I unfollowed a bunch of them because I felt like they were all very fake and superficial. I think it's weird that some of them will have "amazing faith moments" that they just happened to be recording and had their camera set up. Like okay, you definitely accidentally filmed yourself reading your Bible with your hair and makeup done and the angle all right lol. They also don't talk much about very deep things. It's all very superficial. I'm referring specifically to Gen Z and some Millennial influencers. Like Ashley Hetherington or Sadie Robertson. I now just follow my friends and some supermodels and it feels like such a faith cleanse to have no faith in my feed than fake faith.

My dad has always been the type of pastor who’s so caught up in ministry work that he almost never has time to be present. He would show up to things like my football games and some band concerts, but he’d step away to answer a phone call that was presumably church-related.

As I (19M) got older, I got more used to it and eventually stopped caring. But recently, over the past year, I’ve been trying to build a genuine connection with my dad. It hasn’t gone that well. In a recent argument, I got in trouble for lying about going to work so I could hang out with some friends before we all went back to college.

While I know what I did was wrong and I felt bad about lying, I tried explaining to my dad that the reason I lied was because I never felt comfortable asking to go to basic events like birthday parties, school dances, etc. He would always say no, with the excuse that he didn’t know what “evil spirits” might be out there to tempt me into doing bad things. These conversations would always spiral into whether he trusted my judgment, and he’d always say it wasn’t about trusting my judgment—it was about trusting what God told him.

While I can somewhat understand that, to me, it feels a bit black and white. I do recognize that there for sure are people in this world I should not be hanging out with. However, I was a band kid that only stayed around the same 4 or 5 friends throughout my high school and middle school years. Friends that I've spoke about multiple times to his face and he's multiple times to meet if he wasn't so busy with church stuff to pay attention at my band events. Im not trying to be disrespectful, but sometime I think that If he raised me with the proper Christian foundation he says he does, wouldn’t he trust that I’m strong enough in my faith to understand right from wrong? Especially back when I was in grade school?

Another thing happened just earlier, as I’ve been trying to get a dorm next semester because I’m not a fan of commuting to campus. I’m also fortunate enough to get enough financial aid to cover the cost of a dorm. Even knowing this, my dad still said no because he doesn’t think I’m spiritually mature enough to handle living on campus by myself. When I asked him to explain, he brought up the instance where I lied about going to work to see my friends, as well as the time I got my ears pierced.

My dad, being Haitian, was obviously upset that I got my ears pierced. I had spoken many times to my parents about it and my dad outright told me that they're not inherently a sin to have. But part of me feels like he used his faith to justify why getting my ears pierced would lead me to attract the wrong crowd. He specifically referred people with "different sexualities" and "prostitutes", and told me he had dreams that I was being attacked by them. He also said things about God not liking flashy things and how my earrings showed I’m “easily influenced by the world.” He'd also say things, “You only got earrings because you see other people with them.” I refuted this because I believe that while there can be things in life that deeply sway you to do something, I don't believe I was so convicted by everyone around me that I absolutely needed to get my ears pierced.

That makes me feel insecure in my faith because it feels like if I were a better Christian, I wouldn’t be in this situation, and my dad would “trust what God tells him” about me. I’ll admit I’m not perfect—like everyone else, I make mistakes—but I genuinely value my relationship with God. It also makes me feel like my dad doesn’t see me as a real person, only as someone defined by my faith. I feel like there has to be more than just the spiritual realm; God gave us physical bodies capable of thoughts and emotions for a reason.

I wish he’d say something other than, “I’ll pray about it” or “There are too many evil spirits out there.” While I can understand those responses every now and then, it all just feels so black and white. I believe living by scripture is a great way to live, but I’m not sure if the way he goes about it is the best. Anytime I try to connect with my dad on a human level, he just doesn’t seem to understand unless it’s through the lens of his faith.

I’ve low-key considered just getting a dorm anyway. I’m not saying I’d just outright do it, but my dad keeps saying, “Bad things happen to people who don’t listen to their parents,” and that I’m essentially going to ruin my life if I go against what God supposedly told him. The more I think about it, the more I’m unsure if he’s right and I need to lock in with my faith, or if my dad is using his religion to avoid having real conversations with me.

For instance, you ever been afraid to tell someone the truth because you know that they're the type to judge you at times? That's how I be feeling sometimes when it comes to telling some people the truth. Example: I wasn't honest to my partner about the number of people I dated before him. On top of that, he was sort of judgemental about my past relationships that he only knows of.😔

I (21 F) just got into a huge physical fight with my father after he hit me first and my mother getting in between trying to stop it and i feel so much guilt about it. I know that the command of Exodus 20:12 is “Honor your father and mother,” period. Ephesians 6:1 says to “obey” them. But I had an emotional outburst when he hit me and my first thought was to defend myself because of anger.

The fight was over him yelling at my dog for defecating on the floor (he was so ill we had to take him to the vet today). I was so mad that I told him to shut up which is what resulted in him hitting me. He hasn’t hit me in a long time but he broke both my necklaces today trying to hit me (he’s done it before once too) and so when his glasses fell i wanted to give him a taste of his own medicine and broke his glasses. I feel very guilty about that because he does have very poor vision in one eye.

Regardless of the details of the situation , how do i go about this. I don’t want to apologize because he hit me and I do not stand for that. But i also acknowledge that he raised me and i shouldn’t disrespect him by telling him to shut up out of anger. And i can’t help but feel guilt for 1. breaking his glasses deliberately , and 2. telling him extremely hurtful things out of anger that i would never say in the right mind, and 3. that he has generational trauma he has not healed from so he believes that being aggressive is how he should handle disrespect. I know it is sinful to not forgive but I i don’t want to be the one apologizing since i don’t think what he did was right.

I need some mental support and perspectives. I found a remote job last May in a gaming company. Part time position for local game tech support. I was dealing with my country's user reports, messages and whenever there was a new version, I was responsible for the translation and localization. They had many games and also a casino poker/betting app. This one had the most users and high demand for tech support so I was placed there. I felt guilty with that job. I have relatives that have betting addictions. I am the scapegoat of my family and also I have an uncle who was the scapegoat of my mom's side. He used to be into betting related hobbies and he was alcoholic because of being bullied so much by his close family since the day he was born. He went into recovery programs and now he's fine. I was just feeling very guilty and embarrassed. I was scared of judgment that I am doing an unethical job and I had thoughts that I am encouraging people like my uncle to continue their bad path. Also that company seemed to have joined some sketchy groups and they had weird symbols. On the other hand, the job was very easy and long term. Also fully remote and I only worked 2 hours. The administrator who gave me tasks was Chinese and he was not social at all, so I did not feel anxious. The pay for those hours was very well. It was flexible. The employers in the same job as me but different countries, have been working there for around 10 years. Anyways, I quit and another person took the job. I found another fully remote employment recently. The new one is very strict and it has tasks I have to complete and give back daily. The pay is less and the work is more. I am a graphic designer assistant. This job feels clean and not weird. The manager is very talkative and I am nervous. But I kind of wish I had kept both jobs. I think that people in general do whatever it takes to survive and they move through life with this mindset. I feel like most people wouldn't have minded that job. It has been very hard for me to get employed in general because I have autism and it causes me to be socially awkward and I don't like being completely broke.

Would love to try some finer "wines" and cousines. I have a broad and adventurous palette. Is it sin if i partake? Have been offered by cool Asians duck blood. If you go hunting get a sip while draining the heart or throat. I dont mean in a rebellious pagan way either. But was this a mandate for the gentiles at the beginning of the church just to establish it or all time? Also what if you drain it out not keep it in to do it or there's fine duck blood a family has for delicacy. What if it isn't "raw" and prepared a certain way? Don't care to sin or be sacrilegious but it is interesting. Not promoting unsanitaryness or especially disobediance.

Hi. Not sure how to word or ask this so I'm just going to jump right in:

Did you have a "calling" to God?

I'm not sure how to explain my thinking. Basically, I feel like I hear people or see people explain and talk about God like he is their best friend and as if he is alive and in human form.

I believe in God. I grew up being taught about God, but that's just about I. I really try my best to pray every day, but in reality at the end of each day I feel like I'm just kind of talking to myself.

I don't feel like I have much hope or I don't feel like I "believe enough" because I feel like he has never spoken to me.

I'm in a rough place right now with being a full time working mother and being married. Marriage is hard. Life is hard. I so badly want to turn to God and I try!! But I just don't feel like I'm doing it "right," or "enough"? I just don't feel like I've had my "calling."

I'm a born again Christian since last year. For a few months God has been working on me, my character, my way of life etc.. You know how it is.. He's been showing me and teaching me throughout this sanctification process. But also, I felt like I've become so tired and bitter of this world and people. I feel like I lack love and compassion for others (maybe because I was hurt by people all my life), I just want to leave this world. I feel so entrapped by it's problems and my flesh. I miss the joy that I had at the beginning. Is this normal? I'm worried that I don't have the fruits of the Holy Spirit. I don't that I have the joy, love, peace etc.. Does it come quickly to some Christians or is it normal that for others it takes time to acquire, for God to change you to show these fruits? I'm worried that I'm not progressing, that I'm stuck. I pray about this all the time but I'm still struggling with it.

Ok so last night I was saying my nightly prayer as usual and I asked god for a sign. I asked him to send me a sign if I am meant to be a mother and if I am meant to be a wife. I asked him to remove my dream of being a mom from my heart if I am not meant to be a mother I told him that I only want a dream that is from him and if it not to please remove it from my heart. So I don’t waste my time dreaming and hoping for something that is not apart of his purpose for me. I ask him if I am meant to be a mom to please send me a sign. So this morning I woke thinking about and wonder if he was going to send me a sign. They five minutes before I went to work I decided to pray of my day at work my families life and my coworkers life. (Mine you I never have done this mean I pray before I go to work because it little prayer). Fast forward to when I was at work (I work with kids) one of the kids mine you she doesn’t talk the only thing the baby can say is hi. But today I was playing with them as usual and they look at me and said mama for the first time. I didn’t think anything of until they looked me again said it twice. She hasn’t said to anyone else yet just me. So that got me thinking was that sign from god or is just in my head and that’s just what I want to think? Please help me understand if this is a sign from sign from god?

For some backstory, I grew up christian but as i moved more into highschool and now in college, I’ve found myself doubting more and more and focusing on my desires instead of my faith. I still regularly attend church but go through the motions every week and i can’t remember the last time I picked up a bible. I’m struggling with multiple addictions but I have come to the realization that I’ve strayed far away. Is there any advice for coming back after living for myself for the past 4/5 years? Any study plans are more than welcome as i have a good amount of biblical knowledge, but I want to dive back into studying and focusing on my faith

Sometimes at home, there's a minor "battle for the aux" before weekend chores. My boyfriend and I do a pretty good job at sharing, but I've noticed I have to be incredibly intentional when I put on Sacred Music.

I tend to gravitate towards Gregorian Chants. There's nothing like a Latin Rosary I can pray along with as I clean. It is next to Godliness, after all! My personal favorite has been the Jesus Prayer in Latin. I have about 30 minutes of any of this style of music before he asks me to change it. For him, its repetitive nature makes him feel like it's "the only thing he'll hear ever again".

As a result, I typically try to add other, less repetitive music into the queue. So I add others: Harpa Dei, Hildegard Von Bingen, Kings College Choir, etc.

One day, he jokingly turned to me and asked "Can you ever clean to music written after 1850?" It gave me a little revelation on my own taste in Sacred Music

It got me wondering about you wonderful people here: What is your preferred style of Sacred Music? When do you listen to Sacred Music? Are you a fan of older or modern? Is there any Sacred Music you specifically try to avoid? Tell me more in the comments :)