Christian Youth & Young Adults
Ephesians 4:32 offers one of the best spiritually inspirational quotes for Christians to follow: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
In this day and age many parents have a problem with their children leaving the church and losing their faith in God. In some families, however, the situation is reversed. Wanting to remain a Christian when your parents no longer believe can be a challenging situation. Chances are that they were the ones who introduced you to Christianity in the first place, and so their leaving it may make you feel quite lost.
If your parents have left Christianity and you aren't sure what to do now, the here are the four most important steps you can take reconcile with them and hang on to your own faith:
1) Forgive them
When it comes to forgiveness, Ephesians 4:32 offers one of the best spiritually inspirational quotes for Christians to follow:
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Christians are called to extend forgiveness to others because we know that we are fortunate enough to have our sins forgiven by God. You may be disappointed and saddened by your parents' decision, but the only way to move forward is to forgive them and not hold any resentment towards them.
2) Honor and obey them
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right" we read in Ephesians 6:1. Jesus likewise told His followers to honor and obey their parents, even though He also recognized that believing in Him could create tension within families.
Your parents may have stopped being Christians, but they have not stopped being your parents. Do not use their decision as an excuse to act out or cause them trouble and worry. You should still strive to honor and obey them in regards to other aspects of your life.
3) Pray for them
"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people."
This motivating verse from 1 Timothy 2:1 shows us that God does not want us to discriminate in our prayers. We are to pray for all people, no matter what they believe or what they have done. Ask God to work on your parents so that their hearts may be turned and they can find their way back to Him.
4) Strengthen your faith and be a Godly witness
Nobody will ever find or come back to Christ through bullying or intimidation. If you want your parents to come back to God, then work on deepening your own faith so that you can be a good example and a Godly witness. "Let your light shine before others," Jesus says in Matthew 5:16, "that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." When your parents see what a difference faith has made in your life, then they may one day reconsider their decision.
Living in a family that is divided on issues of faith can be very difficult, but it doesn't have to mean the end of your relationship with God or with your parents. Never lose hope in your parents and keep living according to what you feel is right. They may come around one day or they may not but, in the end, the only person you can control is yourself.
Spiritual Prayer
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.