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• A question arose while in discussion with my friends and they made a valid point to which I do not know how to answer. Why do people make a promise/vow to God? Would not God listen and help regardless of a promise/vow as it seems like we are paying or influencing God's decision by saying "I'll give You this, if You give me that;" and when it does happen (what we've asked for), we are not allowed to break the promise/vow, which again seems like we are making a deal with God and we are not allowed to break our side of the deal. I do not necessarily agree with this, given that God will or will not respond according to His wisdom, and not according to what we give Him (e.g., donations, candles, curtains, etc). That being the case, is this a wrong practice or a misunderstanding of mine?
• Are vows biblical?
• What should I do if I vowed to be a monk when I was sixteen years old because that thought at that time never left me? But now I am 21 years old and between 16 to 21 I curved away from God and the thought is not as strong in me.