Is it right for pastors to ask people for money for prophecies?

Sincerely,
Read My Palm

Dear Read My Palm,

Absolutely not!  Especially since God specifically says that we have the perfect and complete Bible, so there are no more prophecies (1 Cor 13:8-10, Jas 1:25).  Televangelists that promise healing miracles, local preachers that profess to have visions, and any others of their ilk are charlatans and liars.  They are no different than Simon the magician who tried to buy the gift of God for money… they are diseased in heart and enslaved to iniquity (Acts 8:19-23).  The word of God is in the Bible and free and available to everyone… anyone that tries to sell it to you is a false teacher.  Accept nothing but the Bible; don’t let anyone add to it, and don’t let anyone take away from it (Rev 22:18-19).  We have everything we need to know about life and godliness within the pages of the Scriptures (2 Pet 1:3).  There is no need for additional prophecy because God has handed down to us once and for all His Word to the saints (Jude 1:3).  Don’t give a penny, or even a greeting, to those who would use the Gospel for greedy gain (2 Jn 1:10-11).

What is the correct way to pray?

Sincerely,
On Bended Knee

Dear On Bended Knee,

Jesus’ followers asked Him that very question (Lk 11:1).  His response was what is commonly referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer” (Lk 11:2-4).  We are not expected to match that prayer word-for-word, but it is a model off of which we can base all of our prayers.  The prayer started off with reverence for God (Heb 12:28) and humility of spirit (Dan 10:12).  Jesus’ prayer also included thanks for the things that God had given Him.  It is always good to make sure that our prayers include thanksgiving (Php 4:6).  After that, He prayed for His physical needs (like daily bread).  God wants us to ask Him for help in this life (Lk 18:1-7).  The model prayer also included a request for forgiveness of sins and a commitment to serve Him faithfully.  God tells us that He will forgive us if we ask (1 Jn 1:9).  Last, but not least, the prayer includes the words “Thy will be done”… everything we do and ask for must be subject to God’s will (Jas 4:13-15).  Those are the basic instructions that Christ gave on prayer.

Ever since I was eight-years-old, I have been competing in rodeos, which can include Sundays.  In the recent few months, I have truly grown in my relationship with God and have accepted Christ as my Savior.  But I am still learning and am still unclear on some things and haven't gotten to the preacher at my church to ask him.  Is it a sin to rodeo on a Sunday? Many times they have "cowboy church" but not always – should I not be there if there is no church service?  Rodeo is a HUGE part of my life, but I would gladly give it up for God, no matter how sad it will make me.  Thanks!

Sincerely,
Christian Cowgirl

Dear Christian Cowgirl,

You have to ask yourself the question, “Am I forsaking the assembly?”.  We appreciate your attitude and desire to do whatever is right, regardless of the cost.  That attitude and honest approach to the Scriptures will always serve you well.  The verses to consider on this subject are Heb 10:24-25.  The Hebrew letter warns against forsaking the assembly.  To ‘forsake’ means to ‘abandon’, ‘desert’, or ‘leave behind’.  Sunday worship needs to be a regular and constant part of your life.  Does missing one Sunday mean that you’ve deserted Sunday worship… no, but if one turns into two, turns into three, etc. – now you have forsaken services for other things.  The question you need to ask yourself is, “Am I leaving behind my duty to worship God on Sunday to pursue rodeo?”.  Of course, the easiest way to be sure that you are doing the right thing is to always go to services on Sundays.  You will have to take the time to examine yourself (Ps 26:2-3).  Make sure that rodeo is a part of your life and not the master of your life – we can’t have two masters (Matt 6:24).  If you do decide that you need to give up or diminish your participation in rodeo, know this… God will bless you for putting Him first (Jas 1:12).

What is the proper way to take the Lord’s Supper if you are taking it by yourself because usually I find that an elder is administering it after the service, and I thought proper verses were to be said while taking it?

Sincerely,
Solitary Contemplation

Dear Solitary Contemplation,

The Lord’s Supper isn’t intended to be taken alone.  Communion is intended to be taken on the first day of the week with the whole church (Acts 20:7).  In fact, the Corinthian church was condemned for not taking the Lord’s Supper in an orderly fashion (1 Cor 11:20-22).  The solution to the disarray of the Corinthian church was for them to patiently wait for one another before taking the communion and to do it in an orderly fashion as a group (1 Cor 11:33).

There are no specific verses that need to be said before taking the Lord’s Supper, but it is important that we reflect upon Christ’s death and examine ourselves before and while participating (1 Cor 11:26-29).

Why do Catholics pray to Mary?  I have read articles that say they pray to her as an intercessor, but I cannot find anywhere in the Bible that says to do this.  How do they justify this Biblically?

Sincerely,
Who’s That Girl?

Dear Who’s That Girl,

Praying to or through Mary is wrong.  Technically speaking, Catholics are not taught to pray to Mary – but to ask Mary to intercede on their behalf before God.  Catholicism teaches that Mary (and other Catholic saints) have more “clout” with God than us, and therefore, Catholics are instructed to ask these Catholic-appointed saints to pray for them.  Having said all that, many Catholics are confused about their own doctrine and do, in fact, pray directly to Mary.  Either behavior is in direct contradiction to the Bible.

Jesus is the only Mediator between man and God (1 Tim 2:5).  We pray to the Father through Jesus… not through Mary or any other Catholic figure.  We are told to confidently approach God directly (Heb 4:16).  We should ask of God and pray to Him through the name of Jesus (Jhn 14:13-14).  Praying to (or through) Catholic saints is sinful.