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Church & Ministries

Monday, May 28, 2012

My Parents Won't Let Me Go to Church

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By Billy Graham , Christian Post Guest Columnist
February 8, 2010|8:37 am

Q: I'm 16, and I asked Jesus to come into my life this past summer at a camp I was attending. But my parents don't want anything to do with religion and won't even let me go to church. Will God be mad at me because I don't go to church?-- M.S.

A: God knows all about your situation -- and no, He isn't angry at you because you aren't going to church. God knows what you can and can't do, and He doesn't hold you accountable for something you can't do (without disobeying your parents).

I'm sorry your parents feel this way; they should be glad instead that Christ has changed your life and is making you a better person. But people who don't know God and don't want anything to do with Him can act this way -- even if it doesn't make sense. Remember: Jesus was sinless -- and yet the crowds cried out for His death, and the Roman governor caved in to their demands. The Bible says, "The god of this age (i.e., Satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Ask God to make you a witness to Christ's love and peace in your family; the strongest argument for the truth of the Gospel is a changed life. Pray for them also that God will break through their resistance and give them a desire to know Christ. Only God can change their attitude, and this should be your prayer.

In addition, do what you can to grow closer to Christ, in spite of your restrictions. Read your Bible and pray daily. Have informal fellowship too with friends who are Christians, and ask them to pray for you and your parents.

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Affectionately known as the "World's Preacher" for more than 60 years, the Rev. Billy Graham is one of the most influential and respected spiritual leaders of the 20th century. He has been a friend and spiritual advisor to ten American presidents and has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history - nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories - through various meetings. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts. Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.
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