Can I be forgiven?

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dallas_r

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I’m a bad sinner. I view pornography, lust, am interested in other weird false gods, cuss, and probably a lot of other bad things I don’t even know about. I understand recoursing these sins once or twice but this happens on a regular basis, sometimes as often as 3 times per day. The problem is that I can’t break free from these influences because I’m a teenager with bad judgement and everyone around me is sinful because I live in a trash neighbourhood. It’s almost impossible for me to keep my faith up because my parents barely go to mass, and mock me when I pray saying “what do you plan on doing changing the world with your prayers?”, and I feel like sometimes because I am so bad Jesus declines to hear my prayers. I have done these sins so many times without stopping despite my many tries. Is there even an amount of prayers that can earn my forgiveness? Because I don’t feel like there is. Thank you.
 
Be happy. If you are asking, then God is calling and beginning to work within you.

While no, there is nothing that you can do to stop sinning, if you allow, God can help you to stop sinning. If you focus on the sin and stopping it, then you will remain focused on the sin and likely fall frequently. Trying to stop sinning is like trying not think think about something. You’ve heard people say “Don’t think about an elephant” But then all you can think about is the elephant. Don’t make the sin your focus, make growing closer to God the focus.

If you focus on growing stronger and closer to God, then God will provide strength that you need.

So many times I have been focused on a sin in my life. When I turn it to God, and he helps me through it, I realize that there were many other sins in my life that I didn’t see.

Don’t waste your energy using your strength to fight a sin. Use your energy and faith to grow closer to God. He can heal you.
 
God cannot refuse a contrite heart. How is your prayer life? Start with the rosary every night and ask your Mother In Heaven for help.
 
Jesus never tires of forgiving you your sins. He doesn’t see you as a criminal, but as a patient who needs his doctoring. I highly suggest learning the Act of Contrition if you don’t know it already:

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because of your just punishment, but most of all because they offend You, my God , who is all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace to sin no more and avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.

The prayer is not a magic spell or incantation, but it sums up what you should be praying for and the sentiment you should feel. If you’ve sinned terribly, say this prayer, being sure to mean it in your heart.

Go to Confession if you can. If you don’t have the means, God will still love and forgive you. Just intend on going to Confession once you have the means to.

You don’t need to earn forgiveness, either. You just have to truly be sorry and intend to correct yourself. (If you stumble later, it doesn’t undo your the real sorriness you had before).
 
joeybaggz said:
That never happens.

Shalom
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Oh and if you need a second opinion, read Jesus’ words about leaving the 99 to find the one lost sheep. And His words that there is more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner than 99 just men. The answers are all there. Find the joy in the Bible accounts that pertain directly to yourself.

Oh and hear his words, “fear not.” they are the most spoken words Jesus uses throughout the gospels.

Again, shalom.
 
Of course you can be forgiven. If you recall the prodigal son, it shows how God is just waiting for you to turn to Him and when you do, He will run to you. I won’t pretend I have the answers on what will help you beat those vices, but if you’re able to make it to confession, odds are the priest will have some ideas. In the meantime, you’re in my prayers, dallas.
 
Jesus loves you. You don’t need to do an “amount” of prayers to earn His forgiveness. Just turn to him with a contrite heart and He will be right there. If you fall down again despite your efforts to lift yourself up, just keep picking yourself up from sinfulness and keep asking Jesus to help you.

By the way, Jesus NEVER declines to hear sincere prayers from anyone. He is listening always, even if you think He isn’t or you’re not getting the exact response from Him that you want.

You are not so “bad”. As a priest told me years ago, “God doesn’t make junk”. You are of great value in God’s eyes.

You are a teenager, and are limited right now in your ability to get yourself out of a bad neighborhood or bad situation, and that probably makes things seem very difficult. Just start with what you can do, such as making your best efforts not to view porn. I would suggest you find a priest you can talk to or confess to on a regular basis and start doing that.

I will pray for you. As Padre Pio said, “Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry”. With Jesus’ loving help you can find your way out of all your bad situations.
 
dallas_r said:
I’m a bad sinner. I view pornography, lust, am interested in other weird false gods, cuss, and probably a lot of other bad things I don’t even know about. I understand recoursing these sins once or twice but this happens on a regular basis, sometimes as often as 3 times per day. The problem is that I can’t break free from these influences because I’m a teenager with bad judgement and everyone around me is sinful because I live in a trash neighbourhood. It’s almost impossible for me to keep my faith up because my parents barely go to mass, and mock me when I pray saying “what do you plan on doing changing the world with your prayers?”, and I feel like sometimes because I am so bad Jesus declines to hear my prayers. I have done these sins so many times without stopping despite my many tries. Is there even an amount of prayers that can earn my forgiveness? Because I don’t feel like there is. Thank you.
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The answer is yes, you can be forgiven. Don’t give up trying to do the right thing and to avoid evil.

It sounds like an uphill battle, with your neighborhood and your parents the way they are. It is not going to change quickly, but if you keep trying to improve, you can do it. Maybe try taking it in stages, like first taking steps to avoid porn, and then that will make it easier for you to deal with lust.

Also examine what it is that’s tempting you with false gods. If it comes from specific Pagan, Wiccan, or Satanic sources like shops, websites, or music videos, begin by cutting out those bad influences, and that should make it easier for you to avoid false gods.

Go to Confession, also known as the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The priest might assume that you just want to confess, get absolved, and be on your way, but while you are there, you can ask him for advice on how to grow in faith, live in virtue, and avoid sin.

And keep on praying. It might not change the world just yet, but it will change you, and then, when your faith is stronger, you can begin to change the world, maybe starting right in your neighborhood and in your family. I’m praying for you too.
 
Even if your family ridicules you, keep on praying. Pray for them as well. Our Lord Jesus Christ loves you without limit.

Ask our Blessed Mother to put her mantle of protection around you. Ask frequently.

Peace,

Dorothy
 
Jesus hears all, and understands your situation. Keep the faith, as the old saying goes, pray, and try to improve. Above all, Jesus forgives all. I’ll pray for you and your family as well.
 
Have you ever tried the Divine Mercy Chaplet?
It is not a substitution for confession, however, Jesus said he would forgive the sinner who reads it at least once, no matter how sinner he was.
When I am afraid I’m in mortal sin I pray it. But I go to confession later.
That eases my scruples a lot.
 
Dear Jesus, Please bless and protect dallas_r, a young person who is facing many challenges but truly wants to love You and do good. Please help him feel Your love and understanding in a special way and know that he is not so bad. Please send Your Holy Spirit to strengthen and energize him and help him in overcoming his sins. And please also envelop him in Your Divine Mercy. Jesus, King of Mercy, I trust in you to help dallas_r and all of us sinners. In Jesus’ Name I humbly pray. Amen.

Holy Mary and St. Joseph, please pray for dallas_r and adopt him as your spiritual foster child and keep him under your protection.
Sts. Joachim and Anne, please pray for dallas_r and adopt him as your spiritual grandchild.
St. Dominic Savio, Please pray for dallas_r.
St. Michael, Please pray for dallas_r.
St. Faustina Kowalska, Please pray for dallas_r.
Thank you. Amen.

Tagged for rosary intentions later. God Bless dallas_r
 
Thank you all so much for the advice, kind words, and prayers. I suspect a miracle happened to me the day I posted this. It was a bad day, another day of temptation and falling into traps. Before I went to school I wore my miraculous medal hoping Mary would lead me to Jesus as I felt my faith deteriorating. After I got home I felt something that told me to go here and seek advice, this is the last thing I thought would happen because I was conflicted heavily by all the hard temptations. I can’t stress this enough, never, ever, in a million years would I thought I would turn to a Catholic for advice to get some sense in me. Luckily, Mary found me, and I am doing the best I can to resist these temptations with the given circumstances. I thank all of you for taking your time to even read this post. God bless you all and your loved ones.
 
Thanks be to God, who is good!
Mary through the Miraculous Medal has guided many to Jesus (Alphonse Rattisbonne, for example).

I am glad you are feeling better. If you happen to commit a sin and fall down, remember that all men fall down, even St. Peter who denied Jesus three times. What’s important is that you get back up every time and turn back to the love of the Lord. His door will always be open to you. Peace be with you and may God continue to bless you.
 
Sounds hopeful. Tis Bearself said it well, and I’ll also refer you to Psalm 118 which begins and ends with this: “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. His mercy endures forever.”
 
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