How do I get my parents to know God?

smash_kate · Feb 18, 2004

Hello,

My parents don't know God except for Christmas and Easter. Everytime I suggest going to church they don't want to go. Everytime I happen to mention something that was said in the bible, they discourage me from reading it because they are afraid I might interpret it wrong. They just won't even open the book.

What should I do? I don't want to press the issue of how important it is to read the bible. Should I wait upon God? How can I steer them in the right direction?

Kate

mina · Feb 18, 2004

I am in a simalar situation. I have been a Christian for 10 years and I have been praying for and witnessing to my parents for 10 years. We can not force them to know God. And I know in my situation, I have to wait on and trust the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to thier hearts. That is something that I can not do. However I do pray for them. Don be afraid to live your life before them. Often times the best witness is the change that they will see in your life.

Jack_Racz · Feb 18, 2004

I think you should pray for them alot. Cause you can't convert them, but He can. Just live your life the Christian way, and I bet that they come around.

ps139 · Feb 18, 2004

smash_kate said:
Hello,

My parents don't know God except for Christmas and Easter. Everytime I suggest going to church they don't want to go. Everytime I happen to mention something that was said in the bible, they discourage me from reading it because they are afraid I might interpret it wrong. They just won't even open the book.

What should I do? I don't want to press the issue of how important it is to read the bible. Should I wait upon God? How can I steer them in the right direction?

Kate

Hi Kate,

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of church do you go to? And do your parents have a Christian background? If so, what type? I may be able to help.

VigoMedic · Feb 18, 2004

mina said:
I am in a simalar situation. I have been a Christian for 10 years and I have been praying for and witnessing to my parents for 10 years. We can not force them to know God. And I know in my situation, I have to wait on and trust the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to thier hearts. That is something that I can not do. However I do pray for them. Don be afraid to live your life before them. Often times the best witness is the change that they will see in your life.

Excellent advice. I too, have been in a similar situation. I just want to echo mina's advice and build on one fact. Remember that your actions are a witness of your faith just as loud - if not louder - as your words. Keep living your faith through much prayer, and remember that nothing is too much for God. I will pray for you as well.

Peace.

lady in waiting · Feb 19, 2004

you just have to pray. My ss teacher has been a believer scine she was a teen but her parents are not. They have no need for God. mainly cause the are wealthy and are surviving on their "own" so they flat out dont see the need for God. So I believe that you just have to pray untill things change.

smash_kate · Feb 19, 2004

Dear ps139,

my mother is catholic my father is protestant, I'm catholic. that's why my father really doesn't want to go to a catholic church..because he's protestant. My mother has no excuse. Her mother (my grandmother) is very religious. She attends church religiously and prays the rosary several times a day and I'm also trying to get my grandmother to pay attention to the bible.

I'd rather my parents be interested in the bible than attend church because of course the truth is in the bible.

Thanks others for your kind answers. If anyone else likes to answer...be my guest.

LiVingSoUL · Feb 19, 2004

pray for miracle....he is faithful,pray for his will,he is merciful,loving and gracious.
and show them what christian is by your actions so that they will be bless by you....

Aijin · Feb 19, 2004

You can't do anything. The bible does say that its Him that saves, not you. You're a witness... you only share the Word and knowledge of God. You are not the savior, so you cannot save them.

Have faith in God's good Will. Of course lift them up in prayer, but do not despair. The more of a Christian life you live, the better witness you'll be. By living a life of Christ, it will help your witness. The more of Christ they see in your life, the more of the Savior they'll come to know.

ps139 · Feb 19, 2004

smash_kate said:
Dear ps139,

my mother is catholic my father is protestant, I'm catholic. that's why my father really doesn't want to go to a catholic church..because he's protestant. My mother has no excuse. Her mother (my grandmother) is very religious. She attends church religiously and prays the rosary several times a day and I'm also trying to get my grandmother to pay attention to the bible.

I'd rather my parents be interested in the bible than attend church because of course the truth is in the bible.

Thanks others for your kind answers. If anyone else likes to answer...be my guest.

Well, if your grandma goes to church religiously, then she is probably all right - do you know that if you attend Mass daily, you will hear the ENTIRE Bible in 3 years? It seems like someone would go to church a lot to be with God, and I think thats great (assuming thats why she goes.) You might relate well with your grandma by finding the biblical basis for her prayers. Like, half of the Hail Mary comes from Luke Ch 1.

"Hail, Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you." Luke 1:28
"Blessed are you amongst women, and blessed is the Fruit of your womb, Jesus." Luke 1:42

With your mother, a "Christmas and Easter" Catholic - that is a little bit tougher. A strategy similar to the one with your grandmother woule be to find where the parts of the Mass are in Scripture. A lot is from Revelations. The Liturgy of the Eucharist has a lot from all Gospels - the Last Supper. I will try to think of more ways to turn your mother to God.

smash_kate · Feb 19, 2004

to ps139...your picture in the right hand corner really scares me. I'm not coming back to read any more posts in this forum. thank you all for your time.

ps139 · Feb 19, 2004

smash_kate said:
to ps139...your picture in the right hand corner really scares me. I'm not coming back to read any more posts in this forum. thank you all for your time.

I am sorry that a painting of Saint John Bosco, who ministered to the youth, scares you. I hope that did not turn you away, for your sake. Feel free to ask me for any help I am always around. Good luck.

haya · Feb 22, 2004

To echo what others have been saying:
Pray -- continually.
And "transform yourself by the renewing of your mind" -- seek to live a life glorifying God. Seek God in prayer and in His Bible.

Filia Mariae · Feb 22, 2004

I'm in a situation similar to yours. My mother was raised Catholic, my father Protestant. Neither of them goes to church or reads Scripture anymore.

I returned home to the Church while I was in college.

I wish I could tell you that I have some magic solution, but there really isn't one. Pray for them everyday, offer it up as your Mass intention, and live a good Christian example for them.

Try going to Eucharistic Adoration and praying that Jesus will touch their hearts.

I'll pray for you and your family, I hope you'll pray for mine too.

DJBelieves · Feb 24, 2004

smash_kate said:
to ps139...your picture in the right hand corner really scares me. I'm not coming back to read any more posts in this forum. thank you all for your time.

LOL!!!!!

How do I get my parents to know God?

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