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When we commit to prayer, believing God for the answers we need, the enemy of our soul whispers lies in our ears. He reminds us of how long we’ve been praying, and yet we still haven’t received an answer.
Struggling with doubt while trying to have faith can be very frustrating. I’m ashamed to say there have been times when I have stopped praying. I was tired of the struggle. I gave up hope. I believed the lie.
But over the years, I’ve discovered that we will never develop strong faith until we’ve wrestled with strong doubt.
The next time you are tempted to stop praying, remember that your prayers are so precious to the Lord that they are poured out at the feet of Jesus as incense in worship before His throne.
“…Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.”
– Revelation 5:8
No wonder the enemy works so diligently to keep us from prayer. Our prayers are a form of worship and a declaration of our faith in God. So, if he can’t keep us from praying, he will try to keep us from believing that God will answer our prayers.
In order to see the hand of God at work in our lives and in the lives of those we love, we must commit ourselves to the work of prayer. Like Jacob, truly knowing God and seeing the unfolding of His plan for our lives requires wrestling with Him in prayer. It takes effort to hold on to God and His promises, especially through the struggle of unanswered prayers.
But like so many things with God, we are formed through the struggle. Part of the gift of prayer is who we become in the process. As we bring God our fears, our worries, and the issues of our lives — praying in faith and believing Him for the outcome — we are transformed into the image of Christ. At His feet in prayer is where we learn to trust Him, to submit to His will rather than our own, and to rest in Him.
I don’t like wrestling with the doubts, the fears, and the questions.
I want the answers now, or at least an understanding of why the answers are delayed. But part of surrendering to God is giving up our need to understand before we believe.
God is God. I’m not. And I’m learning to trust Him even when I don’t understand.
Can we continue to pray when answers are delayed? Can we still believe when faith feels foolish or naïve? I believe we can. God is teaching me this now.
Today, let’s pray childlike prayers in faith, placing our worries into His hands for safekeeping.
Let’s believe like a child who knows her Father won’t withhold anything good from her.
Let’s trust that He knows the perfect timing for all things concerning us.
Today, let’s surrender to His ways and trust in His wisdom.
Pray again.
Don’t let go, even through the struggle.
Hold on to Him because He’s holding on to you.
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