Are you wondering why God isn’t answering a particular prayer of yours? Maybe He seems silent and you’re wondering why you should pray at all—especially if God doesn’t appear to be doing anything about it.
Oh, how we hate the silence of God. And yet, God does some of His best work in the quiet.
It’s easy to get the idea that because we pray, God is obligated to answer. Yes, God is good. Yes, He is loving. But He also promises to work all things for our good, when we love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Sometimes our waiting—and unanswered prayer—makes us more dependent upon God, like His Son, Jesus. And when we become more like Jesus, God is working our situation for our eternal good (Romans 8:29).
God is also eternal, meaning His idea of time is different than yours and mine. God may choose to wait a whopping 10-20 years to give you something you’re asking for. For you and me, that seems like an eternity. To God, it is just a moment in time. And yet, His timing for your life and mind is perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4).
Sometimes, God’s work is in the eternal realm where we can’t see it. Proverbs 3:5 gives us good advice when we can’t see what God is doing: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding” (CSB). Trust that what He does in the silence is in the scope of the billions of consequences and details that He is ever aware of and that you may never be able to see this side of heaven.
Sometimes God’s refusal to answer your prayer is His way of keeping you close by…still asking, still waiting, still relying on Him. Show God that He can trust you to be faithful even in the silence. Even in the uncertainty. Even in the dark.
If you ever feel that God is distant, He is not the One who moved further away. If you ever believe He’s not speaking, you might be the one who hasn’t been quiet enough to listen. (I’m right there with you, friend.)
Psalm 84:11 tells us, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord grants favor and honor;
he does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity.” That promise of God assures us that if we are living with integrity and God doesn’t appear to be granting our request, it either isn’t good for us or it isn’t time. Trust Him with what appears to be His silence. And know He is always there, always cares, and is always listening.
For help hearing God speak through His Word, your circumstances, or His quiet whispers on your heart, see my purse-sized devotional book, God’s Whispers to a Woman’s Heart.
Hi Cindi. When I was reading your post all I could think of was David in Psalms. His prayers were a mixed bag, and yet he stood firm faithfully with God. Yes he complained and whined concerning God not answering but that didn’t stop him from seeking God daily for answers. One of my prayers took 50 years to answer. I begged, cried, got angry and pouted each time I would pray for an answer. But when the answer came (finding my bio dad), oh the joy that came from that answer. And I never stop thanking God for the answer which I waited so long for. He remains faithful even in unanswered prayer. We just need to rest in Him knowing it will come.
Thank you, Ramona, for sharing your experience with what feels like unanswered prayer. God is always working on our behalf, isn’t He? And His timing is always best. I’m glad you are continuing to find joy in that long-awaited answer to prayer. Thanks for sharing your heart. 🙂
Confirmation I am so grateful that God knows what’s best for me I will continue to lean upon his word because without it I would be a mess Thank you for sharing ❤️
You’re welcome, Kathy. Thank you for your honest comment. I believe we are ALL a mess without Him and His guiding Word. 😉
I’ve been tempted to quit bringing up a certain prayer request to the Lord because I thought maybe His answer was “no”, but after reading this I decided not to quit. thank you ♥
Hi Terri! Don’t quit. Remember the parable Jesus told about the unrighteous judge who gave in to a woman’s constant pleading of her case simply because he was tired of her bugging him. Then Jesus let us know how much more God will bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night (Luke 18:1-7). That tells me our persistence wins over the heart of our God who loves us. And Matthew 7:11 tells us “If you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Press on. He listens. And He loves to come through for His children.