The New Loneliness DevotionalNäide

Praying Through the Silence

I’m sure you know what it’s like to wait upon God for something and to wonder, at times, if He’s even there. You’ve prayed—over and over. But is He listening anymore?

It’s difficult to imagine how God can have a purpose or happy ending to our life’s story when we’re right in the middle of longing for something more or missing something we once had. But God sees our story from beginning to end and He knows exactly what He is preparing us for, even when we feel as if He isn’t doing anything on our behalf.

If you’re in the frustrating place of trying to get God’s ear, I encourage you to hang on to three sources of hope in the midst of what might seem like unanswered prayer.

Hope in God’s Word. Did you know that God cannot contradict His Word? While He has guidelines in Scripture that are not necessarily promises, there are certain passages that include promises that hold true as we obey Him. For example, 2 Corinthians 1:20 tells us, “All the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (NKJV). His Word further tells us: “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” Hold God to His Word, and you have hope to hold on to as well.

Hope in God’s Character. God also cannot contradict Himself. So, when He says in His Word that He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), He will do just that. He will take care of what You place into His hands. The more you get to know God, the more you will trust Him. The more you trust Him, the less you will doubt, worry, fear, or give up. Psalm 62:8 further tells us: “Trust in Him at all times…Pour out your hearts before Him; God is a refuge for us.” God is a refuge for our sorrows, prayers, and requests that we can’t take anywhere else. And He will not tell us to pour out our hearts to Him and then not listen. He can be trusted.

Hope in God’s Timing. God knows exactly when you are ready to receive the desire of your heart, and He will not act a moment too soon or a moment too late when it comes to doing what is eternally best for you.

When you are in the long haul of waiting and you aren’t getting a yes, will you trust that what you might think is a no might really be God’s wait? It’s possible He has something even better for you than what you have requested. Deuteronomy 32:4 says His works are perfect and all His ways are just, and He is “a faithful God who does no wrong” (NLT). He knows best. Therefore, His timing is always perfect.

Keep hoping in Him, my friend. Hope in His Word, His character, and His timing. He hears your prayers, He sees your tears, and He can be trusted with your heart.

Maker of my heart, nothing goes unnoticed before You. Even when I think there is only silence, You are still there, You still hear, and You are still working on my behalf. Thank You for Your great love for me. May I please Your heart by trusting in You and the unseen work of Your hands. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray this. Amen.

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We hope this plan was helpful to you. You can read more from Cindi McMenamin in her book, The New Loneliness Devotional, available here .