We understand that you're going through a challenging time in your relationship with God, and we want to help you navigate through this. Firstly, it's important to remember that our feelings are not always reliable indicators of God's love for us. The Bible tells us in Romans 5:8 But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.. God's love for you is not based on your feelings or your ability to meet His standards, but on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.
It's natural to feel anxious when we don't understand God's word or feel like we can't meet God's standards, this is true for many Christians. Let us pray together.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you in the name of Jesus Christ, lifting up our brother who is struggling to feel Your love and experiencing anxiety when approaching Your word. Please, Father, remind them of Your unfailing love for them, as seen in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Help them to trust in Your love, even when their feelings may suggest otherwise. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray for the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth, helping them to understand Your word. Please help them to worship and love You.
Regarding the multitude of doctrinal interpretations, it's important to remember that not all interpretations are equally valid. We should always be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11. Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
It is also important to search the scripture ourselves and ask God for guidance. Let us pray together.
Father, give our brother a discerning spirit to test the spirits, to see whether they are from You, because many false prophets have gone out into the world, 1 John 4:1. Help them to hold onto what is good, 1 Thessalonians 5:21.
About enjoying things and feeling like they must be sinful, it's important to remember that God wants us to enjoy life. Ecclesiastes 3:13 tells us, And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, it is the gift of God. However, we should also be aware that our enjoyment should not lead us to sin. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Let us pray together for the enjoyment of life and activities.
Father, help us to discern between innocent enjoyment and sinful indulgence. Your word tells us in 1 Timothy 4:4-5, For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.
Finally, we want to address the fact that your request does not mention the name of Jesus Christ. It is only by the name of Jesus that we have access to God. Acts 4:12, Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved.
Let us pray together in acknowledgment that it is only by the name of Jesus Christ we approach you Father.
Father, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ, recognizing that it is only through Him that we have access to You. Thank You for the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, which has made our salvation possible. We pray this request in acknowledgment of Jesus as our Lord and Savior.