Inside: When God seems distant or doesn’t answer your prayers the way you hoped He would, don’t give Him the silent treatment. Try this instead. ~
I get distracted easily, and the only thing that keeps me focused when I’m praying is typing out my words.
I’ve been journaling my prayers for so long, it seems almost second nature to me. But I understand how it might be constricting or even intimidating for people who aren’t used to it or prefer to pray some other way.
Of course, when it comes to our struggles with prayer, sometimes the format isn’t the issue.
Maybe it’s the fact that—for whatever reason—God seems distant, aloof or uninterested in our lives. Perhaps we feel awkward talking to someone we can’t see. Maybe we can’t think of anything to say.
Maybe we trusted Him as hard as we could for some really big thing, and the outcome left us hurt, angry or disappointed.
Anyone?
I don’t think giving God the silent treatment is the answer, though.
What are we afraid of, I wonder? That He might hear us and do something we don’t like? That He might hear us and do nothing?
He will not do nothing—we can be sure of that. We may not see it now, but He is always working.
But don’t look to me and my ideas to bolster your faith. (Trust me—that won’t get you very far.) And don’t rely on myriad authors, pastors, bloggers and influencers who are trying to equip you or encourage you or help you feel like you’re not alone.
Instead …
Take it up with the Creator of the Universe and the Maker of your Soul.
Talk to Him—openly, honestly, without worrying about format or syntax.
Ask Him to open your eyes to the way He has been working in your life—all along, even in those most painful moments when you think He couldn’t possibly have been there.
He was there, after all
Whether you want to acknowledge it, or not. Whether you are emotionally able to acknowledge it, or not.
He was there, and He was loving you.
He still is, in fact. And He won’t ever stop.
Good Questions
We wonder why life is hard, why we’ve been so afflicted, why we struggle so mightily with things that others often can’t understand. Why won’t God just fix it? What’s the use is trying to live the Christian life when we just seem to get more of the same?
These are all good, human questions.
Perhaps what we should wonder, though, is where would we be had the hand of God not been on our lives. What have the prayers that others have lifted on our behalf—even in generations past—kept from us? What have they kept us from?
Where would we be if Jesus Christ were not, at this very moment, interceding on our behalf at the right hand of the Father?
It’s easy to look back and wonder where God was. But maybe, as we look back, it would be better if we tried to give thanks for all that we have surely been spared. Not to minimize our past trials or diminish our current pain, but to build our faith in the One who is guiding our future.
♥ Lois
Where would we be had the hand of God NOT been on our lives? Click To Tweet Ask God to open your eyes to the way He has been working in your life—all along, even in those most painful moments when you think He couldn’t possibly have been there. Click To TweetP.S. This is a revised version of a post that originally appeared here in May 2016. I’m linking up this week with Inspire Me Monday, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.
22 comments
I’ve been comforted by the fact that the psalmists felt like God was distant sometimes, too, or leaving them hanging without a response. Just like them, we remind ourselves of the truth we know: that God is always with us, loves us, wants the best for us. Sometimes we have different thoughts about what the best should be. But as we grow in Him, we trust His purposes.
For years, I thought I was the first Christian in my family. Then I learned that my grandfather’s uncle, who took him in when his parents died, was a “circuit-riding preacher.” I don’t know what denomination. But he traveled from small place to small place, preaching as he went to gatherings of believers without a pastor. I’ve often wondered if they prayed for their descendants. But they encourage me to pray for mine.
What a wonderful fact to discover in your family history, Barbara! And that’s a great point about the psalmists feeling God was distant … they certainly didn’t give Him the silent treatment about it, did they? Such a good example for us to follow.
Lois this is beautiful. I’ve often looked back over the years and weather it was a season of rebellion earlier on, hiding from him, or not paying attention to I can now see he was there all along even when I thought he wasn’t. He was and is there. He’s always faithful to show up.
Visiting today from Joanne’s
Oh Paula … there’s such power in remembering, isn’t there? We can trace God’s hand as we look back, and when we do it builds faith for the present and future.
I have so many journals with hand-written prayers, and then word documents of typed prayers, conversations back and forth with God. That’s how I best stay focused too. The mind is so prone to wander without the use of hands to keep it in check…the whole body works best together.
That’s such a good way to describe it, Lisa. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who needs help staying focused when I’m praying. 🙂
Love this, Lois! He is so good and faithful to listen to use, to be with us, to show us He is here and working. I’m so glad God isn’t scared of our doubts or questions.
Me too, Bethany. He knows how we are formed and remembers we are dust, as a favorite Psalm says. I’m so thankful for His constant presence.
Lois, I know I have been hurt and disappointed by God on more than one occasion, and sadly my initial response was to become silent. Like my mom used to say, “no means no”, so why bother talking about it.
But God already knows my disappointment, and as the God of all comfort wants to comfort me. Thank you for this wonderful reminder to lean in not away.
“Lean in, not away.” I love that, Donna. What a powerful visual as it relates to our prayer posture.
no to the silent treatment. and yes, please to simply being silent with Him.
Amen, Linda! 🙂
Lois, I love, LOVE your thoughts on prayer here. Your perspective and encouragement is spot on! We need to remember God is always with us, even when we don’t feel His presence. He will never leave or forsake us. Beautiful post, my friend.
Jeanne, it’s such a comfort to remember those truths, isn’t it? Thank you for your kind words, my friend.
It’s funny that we think we can avoid talking to God. Then I realize, He knows my every thought. So even when I am praying silently, He knows. I have often wondered how the many prayers of my Grandma for and over my life have impacted my life without my knowing. I never want to find out where I would be without the hand of God on my life as I know I would be lost. Wonderful post, Lois. May I be as faithful to pray for my loved ones!
Isn’t it wonderful to have had such faithful prayer warriors in our lives, Joanne? I miss my parents prayers so much, but they inspire me to pray consistently for my own girls. I know your grandmother’s example does the same for you. Hugs, friend.
“Where would we be if Jesus Christ were not, at this very moment, interceding on our behalf at the right hand of the Father?” I’m so grateful for His gracious intercession. We just could never live life without Him, right? Thank you for all this encouragement, Lois! Love and blessings to you!
Oh Trudy … I agree 100 percent. I can’t imagine what life would be like without Christ. Love and hugs, dear friend.
That’s a good idea, Lois. I’ve written my prayers out many times, but right now I’m just winging it. I tend to go back and forth, though. I hadn’t thought about typing them out. Do you save your prayers, or do you delete them later? You’ve given me lovely encouragement today. Thank you!
I save the files, Ashley … one month per Word document. 🙂 I rarely go back and read any of it, but it’s sometimes helpful if I’m trying to figure out when something happened. I’m glad this was encouraging to you!
“It’s easy to look back and wonder where God was. But maybe, as we look back, it would be better if we tried to give thanks for all that we have surely been spared.“
My husband shared this morning about a dream he had last night. He dreams often about his former career. He lost all of that due to health. But in his dream people were sharing their sad stories of all they lost by staying in that same career.
And then I read your post.
God is speaking. Healing. Loving us.
Thank you!
Wow, Lisa … that’s a powerful dream your husband had. God’s timing is precious, isn’t it?