When it Feels Like God is Silent

If you are a follower of Christ, you know how important prayer is in the life of the believer. When we pray, we grow in our faith and we grow closer to the Father. Prayer is essential for everything we do. The Bible tells us not to worry about anything, but instead to pray about everything (Philippians 4:6). It also tells us that our Heavenly Father hears us when we pray (1 John 5:14). We can trust these promises are true. But what happens when you are praying and it feels like God isn’t answering you? What about the times when God is silent? We live in a broken, sin-filled world. Sometimes we are left feeling helpless and hopeless. Sometimes it feels like no matter how much we pray, God is just not going to answer.

When it feels like God isn’t answering your prayers, it is extremely isolating. It can cause you to doubt Him. When you pray, it can feel like you’re talking to a wall. It’s discouraging and frustrating. Friends, I get it. I’ve been there. But I want to remind you (and myself, honestly) that even though we might not always hear God’s voice, He is working. During the stormy seasons of life, He is with us and watching over us. We have a promise that God will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). As hard as it might be, we have to trust in that promise. We have to keep our eyes fixed on Him, even if our vision seems blurry right now.

Being a Christian is not easy. In fact, Jesus told us that we would face troubles in life (John 16:33). We will have stormy seasons where hope seems lost. Parts of life will be messy and hard. But we can also rest in the fact that Jesus has already conquered the hard stuff. He’s beaten sin. He has defeated death so that you and I might have life – both here on earth and eternally in Heaven. When it feels like God is silent in your troubled times, trust that He’s working in the silence. If you are in a stormy season right now, the Lord is right there with you. You’re not alone.

Even if it feels like God is silent, keep talking to Him. Keep talking until you hear Him. When you are praying and praying and praying and you end up feeling more overwhelmed than before, keep talking to God. I promise eventually, you will see Him answer. He won’t stay silent. Your Heavenly Father holds you and your entire world in the palm of His hand. He is your Savior and that will never change. The Lord is sovereign and in control over all. Who God is does not depend on whether or not you see Him moving in your life at the current moment. Push on. Don’t lose hope. Lean on your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray big and pray hard.