I’m the only Christian in my class and I’m scared to speak up about it. Got any advice?

Yeah, I have been there. This feeling of separation and difference can cause a lot of panic and insecurity. What should I do? What should I say? What will they think of me after? I believe that sharing the power of God in your life can really cause some tension in the hearts of people who just aren’t there yet. I see that tension as an opportunity. The truth is Jesus resolves the tension of our soul and sets it free to be alive and saved. That’s the opportunity I’m talking about. They need you. We all needed someone to be so concerned about what they will say, that they take the opportunity to lead people to Jesus. Every interaction at school, in the store, maybe even in your own house is an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to guide you and awaken your heart for the person you are talking to and then the words to speak—if necessary. Pray about the courage to tell the truth about Jesus. Love people and they will give you the opportunity to tell them why your love for them comes from Jesus himself. It’s scary, but the Lord uses His people to lead them to Him. Be strong! Be courageous, for the Lord your God is with you (Joshua 1:9)!

Captain Jason Knaggs
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

It feels like no one’s listening to me when I pray. What should I do?

You say you “feel” that no one is listening when you pray. You are certainly not the first person to feel that way, but God’s Word assures us: “In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence” (Ephesians 3:12, NIV). Now, you may ask, “what is faith?” and God’s Word again provides the answer: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see…Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:1,6, NIV). And in Matthew 7:7 (NIV), our Lord reminded us to put our feelings aside and to be persistent when we pray: “Ask, and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.”So, regardless of our feelings, we must approach God in prayer with confidence, knowing He exists and believing that He is listening and answering our prayers!

Commissioner Memory Tuck
Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Does my life really matter? 

The short answer is absolutely! In Genesis 1, we see something very telling about God. He is a God of order and purpose. He takes his time with His creation. Over the course of a week God created Earth, little by little, with intention. You and I are no different. We are God’s creation and with intention, order and purpose we are here. When we wonder if our lives matter, we need to reflect back to the beginning and remember that God does not create without reason. You matter!

Captain Audra Whipple
Denver, Colorado

The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. An officer in The Salvation Army is an ordained minister of Christian faith. They dedicate their lives, skills and service completely to God. Submit your question to an officer at peermag.org/contribute.