Pray For My Faith - Where Do I Start?

[madison_breen]

Hello there everyone. My name is Madison and I have just joined this forum in hopes of finding Jesus. I was raised in a household of sadness. I was raised by single father who is a recovering addict, along side an addicted and mentally unstable mother who would pop in and out of the picture when she was sober (which was not often.) I have spent my teenage years wondering about Jesus. I would tell myself I knew him. I would tell myself I loved him but after years of just telling myself this, I have finally realized that I do not know Jesus. I do not know him at all. I do not have a relationship with him, and honestly I am having a hard time believing in him. I tell myself that I know he is there and that I know he is watching me. I tell myself this but I don't really believe it. But last night I felt different. I listen to four Christian songs each and every night to help me drift off to sleep. Last night I felt like I needed to listen to the actual lyrics of the songs. Lead Us Back by Sojourn really spoke to me. All day today I have been listening to Christian radio and searching the internet for information on where I should start my journey. I want to believe in Jesus - but I do not know how. I do not know where to start. Any advice?

 

[PKFox]

Nice to meet you!

Simply wanting to start a relationship with God is the first step, and I'm glad you're interesting in learning more about God and Jesus. I'd start by reading the Bible, as that's the best way to get to know Jesus as He was and is. I've heard that a good way to start if you aren't familiar with the Bible is by beginning in the book of Mark. After that, John, Romans, or wherever else you might be interested in reading. Also, prayer can be a big life-changer. Just start by talking to God, however you see fit. Everyone prays their own way. I just talk to God like he's a friend most of the time. I hope that you find what you're looking for, and that you will truly believe in and accept Jesus in your heart.

If you have any questions, just ask.

 

[brinny]

Praying for you (((hug)))

Welcome to CF

 

[GandalfTheWise]

One place to start is prayer. Prayer is simply talking to God. It can be out loud or silent in our heads. It does not have to be flowery and full of thee and thou language. Just talk to Him like you would to another person. One thing interesting about prayers in the Bible in that both Jesus and the apostle Paul used the word Abba (from the original languages) when talking to God. A close English equivalent is Dad or Daddy.

My first prayer (about 40 years ago so I can't remember the exact words) was something like, please forgive me, please come into my heart. I don't know how to describe it, but I felt different after that. It was like moving from believing in God in abstract terms to feeling like He was really there. For me, it was like I felt a warm comfortable presence inside that has been there since then. It wasn't about reciting the proper words, but rather just expressing my desire to have Jesus in my heart. I know many people who've told similar stories. Some people immediately know something happened, for others it seems to take some time.


I'm sure many other people will weigh in with their stories as well.

I agree with PKFox as well, starting to read the Bible is a good place as well. I'm partial to the Gospel of John, but Mark is good. Also, the book of Acts describes the early church. Please note that there are many books in the Bible that take much more effort to understand. Some of those would be better left for later. The 4 gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) describe Jesus' life and would be a good starting point.

Another thing is to find a good group of Christians to hang around with. This might take the form of a Bible study, a prayer group, or a church. There are good people on this forum as well. It's not the same as in person, but can be a good start.

 

[Nikki1445]

Madison I am so happy that you have made this desicion! God has an amazing plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). Though you may have had a rough upbringing, the good news is that the power of Christ can turn anything around! He does not waste pain. He can use you to be a blessing in someone else's life that may have struggled with some of the same things you did. I don't think it's a mistake at all that you've always wondered about Jesus. He's been waiting for you with open arms!

In order to start this journey of following christ, it says in Romans 10:9 that "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." So the first step would be to speak a prayer of salvation.
The Salvation Prayer is merely a road to rebirth in Jesus Christ. To be born again you must confess Jesus as Lord and believe that He is. When you ask Him into your heart, you are allowing Him to be the Lord of your life.

Prayer

• 
  "God, I recognize that I have not lived my life for You up until now. I have been living for myself and that is wrong. I need You in my life; I want You in my life. I acknowledge the completed work of Your Son Jesus Christ in giving His life for me on the cross at Calvary, and I long to receive the forgiveness you have made freely available to me through this sacrifice. Come into my life now, Lord. Take up residence in my heart and be my king, my Lord, and my Savior. From this day forward, I will no longer be controlled by sin, or the desire to please myself, but I will follow You all the days of my life. Those days are in Your hands. I ask this in Jesus' precious and holy name. Amen."
  
  The next step is to purchase a bible if you dont already have one. It is essential to stay in God's word. The devil will try to attack you (John 10:10) because of the path you've chosen to follow Christ, but you must study scripture to know his tactics and understand how to fight against them. This is very important. Trying to follow Christ without reading his word is like going out to battle without any armor. God's word is your weapon and your foundation. I encourage you to start with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to really learn about who Jesus was. Another good book to start in is Proverbs, "the book of wisdom." It will teach you alot! Initially, if you don't understand what you're reading, it's ok. Every time you read his word, ask the God to reveal to you what he wants you to take from it, and he will.
  
  Finally, join a good bible-based church in which you can fellowship with other christians. God didn't intend for us to embark on this journey alone. We must lift one another up. Each of us make up a part of the body of Christ (Romans 12: 4-5) and we are strong when we work together as one with Jesus in the center as our foundation.
  
  Heavenly father, I lift your precious child up in prayer, Madison. I ask that you guide Madison to you Lord. I ask that you surround Madison with a solid group of christ-believers that will lift Madison up in every way. Lord I pray for Madison's mother and father. I declare that they are healed from all addictions in Jesus name. Your words says that by your stripes, we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). I thank you Lord for their salvation. I thank you that they too will be saved the in the mighty name of Jesus! I thank you for building Madison up to be mighty in this land. You are the light in Madison's life. I declare everlasting peace and joy in your child's life! May it be infectious everywhere Madison goes in the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[servant of Merciful Love]

Welcome to CF!
You can find spiritual counsel in the Chaplains Office.
May God draw you close and bring you peace.

 

[Humble me Lord]

Hello Madison, so glad you joined us!
Many good suggestions already.
God Bless you and wellcome

 

[St_Worm2]

Hi Madison, first off, WELCOME TO CF ..

I'm sorry to hear about all the struggles that you've had (I had a severe alcoholic for a father, so I know something of the pain you've faced), but the kind of good that the Lord can bring out of such hardships for His children .. Romans 8:28, and His children to be (if you will), can be almost indescribable at times

It sounds like the Lord has already begun a mighty work in you, to change you, to change your heart, which is good, because He's the only one who can .. Ezekiel 36:26; John 3:3.

Becoming a Christian involves more than a simple belief in God's existence, it involves trusting Him (as your Savior), and it involves surrendering yourself, the "reins" of your life (so to speak) to Him as your Lord (believing that He, as your loving Heavenly Father, knows far better what's best for you than you could ever hope to yourself).

So look to Jesus and trust Him, and surrender your life to Him. Confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you of them (that took a long time when I became a Christian 30+ years ago, BTW, but I've found that He is in the business of saving wretches like me, PTL .. Mark 2:17; Romans 4:5), then (like Gandalf just said above), ask Him to come into your heart and save you (not only from a future in Hell, but from your present, sinful self as well), and to be the Lord of your life, trusting that in all of this He can and will do so .. Romans 4:20-21.

I had a couple of things back then, things that I knew were sinful (but that I loved), things that I knew I needed to give up but didn't want to, things that I didn't believe I could give up. So I told God about them (knowing that He knew all about them anyway, of course ), and told Him that if He was willing to still take me as His own on that basis, that I still wanted Him as my Savior and Lord and loving Father. The cool thing was, of all the things I've struggled with AS a Christian since then, those two things were never a problem, because He took care of them for me

So don't be afraid to tell Him whatever is on your heart, in fact, that's exactly what you should do.

Just so you'll know, the Lord sent us the Holy Spirit when He left us so that we would always have Someone to help, teach and guide us as Christians. He in fact, indwells all Christians

Praying for you!

Yours in Christ,
David
p.s. - Please come back and keep us updated

Romans 10:9
"If you confess with your mouth, Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from
the dead, you will be saved"
​

 

[rockytopva]

Father I pray blessings on this request and for a solid Christian walk in Jesus name I pray. Also taking these needs before God in prayer on the bbnradio.org Family Altar program... BBN Program Schedule

 

[Amaze0707]

Hi, Madison. It’s great to hear about the wonderful work the Lord has begun in your life. Although you were raised in such a situation, remember, God makes everything beautiful in His time. I'm hoping that “Coming Home” might be helpful to you as you are looking for a good place to start. My prayers are with you!

 

[Linus]

Welcome to CF!

It's truly wonderful that you really want to know and have a relationship with our Lord and Saviour. He is truly our friend and redeemer.

Praying for your walk with Christ. Thank You Lord!

 

[FreeinChrist]

MOD HAT

This thread is being moved to Christian Advice, which is a better place for it.

 

[Traveling teacher]

Start with a short prayer to God as your heavenly father.....
Tell Him you want to follow Him and ask Him to lead you to a church.......fellowship with other christians.