We’ve all been there. Poured out our hearts to God, begged Him, and crickets.
Here are five things we can do when we’re in this apparent situation. If you’d like to go deeper, I wrote a bonus chapter for Praying Mom called Overcoming Biblical Obstacles to Prayer that discusses reasons God might not be talking back (but He does hear, friend, always).
Check Your Heart (Psalm 24:3-4).
Is there anything between you and God? A sin unconfessed? Unforgiveness? Keep short accounts. Ask God to show you if there’s something there that needs attention.
Check Your Motives (Matthew 6:10).
“Not yet,” and “No,” are valid answers to prayer. When I get fussy with God for not answering the way I want, or when I want, it’s usually because I’m busy trying to build MY kingdom instead of His.
Check Your Focus (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Are you leaning on your own understanding, or choosing to see the situation through the lens of God’s truth? Sometimes, I have to say, “NO!” out loud when I find myself doing this. The harsh interruption arrests my thoughts and gives me time to refocus on what I know is true.
Ask for a Belief Increase (Mark 9:24).
We’re human, friend. We won’t always possess the amount of faith we need to get through the trials God allows. But we can ask for more. Pause and ask Your good, kind Savior to help your unbelief and make it possible to trust Him through whatever comes.
Keep Praying (Luke 18:1-8).
Somehow, God uses our prayers. The model we’re given in Scripture is to be persistent, believing that God hears, and will act in a way and at a time that is best for HIS entire, big, grand plan. He IS moving on your behalf, but it’s called faith for a reason.
I appreciate this post so much. I honestly try to pray right when I say that I am praying because I know I am likely to forget. I have also found that I like typing out a prayer in the Facebook response. Often it has long and only a few words show up when someone is scrolling. But I do think it is comforting to the original poster to know that someone actually prayed and has words for what they are going through. I also realize that for people who may just be posting the word that they are praying, if they are reading my prayer, it can be there pair too.
Ella Herlihy can I say that you are absolutely soft on. I read your prayer and have got great comfort for it. My son is being bullied and I needed to hear this today. God bless you
9/29 marks 14 years since my 1st miscarriage and 2/14 will be 6 years for my 2nd miscarriage. How different my life would be with 3 kiddos? I’m grateful for our 1 kiddo, I tease him he was our 1 good egg. He has brought us so much joy. I try to take comfort that we had 1 kiddo but sometimes the sadness bubbles up.