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I often share on the topic of prayer, specifically praying for our children. I even wrote a book of prayers to help moms pray for their children, Covered in Prayer: 31 Prayers to Cover You and Your Children in God’s Grace.
Recently, a podcast listener asked a really good question. If we pray about something and we know God heard us, should we pray the same prayer again, or do we just trust God and let it go? Does praying about it again mean we lack faith?
She had been taught that we should pray once and let it go, leaving it in God’s hands. She had also been taught that if we mention it to the Lord again, it should be only to thank Him for answering our prayer.
I’ve heard these ideas before, from people I really respect. I’ve struggled with them over the years myself. I answered her question in a personal email. But this is such a great question that I want to answer it here in more depth for those who struggle with these questions about prayer. I hope my words are helpful to you.
The first place my mind goes to is the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow found in Luke 18. Jesus tells this story of a judge who didn’t fear God, care about justice, or care about people. But this widow continued to come to him over and over, pleading her case and asking for justice. Finally, he gave her the thing she had been asking of him—justice against her adversary—not because he was a good judge and not because he cared about her or her situation, but because she was wearing him out with her constant asking. Jesus used this parable to show us that we “should always pray and not give up.”
This widow was rewarded for her persistence, and Jesus used her as an example of what persistent prayer looks like, reminding us that God, who is just and cares about people, will hear us when we are persistent in prayer.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Himself is an example of One who is persistent in prayer. The Scriptures say the Lord fell on His knees three times with the same request: “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39)
Prayer is about more than getting what we want from God. The practice of prayer changes the one who prays. Often, it’s during prayer that we become aware that what we want God to do in our lives doesn’t line up with His plan for our lives. It’s during prayer that we are able to lay down our will for His. The more time we spend with Him, the more we become like Him, conformed into His image and open to His plan.
From the very beginning of my Christian walk, my goal has been to develop a consistent prayer life. In some seasons, I’ve been more faithful in prayer than others. Prayer is our lifeline with Heaven. I know prayer is where my strength to obey God comes from, so I try to make it a priority in my life.
But it’s during the hard times that I find it easiest to pray. When one of my children is struggling or someone I love is going through a difficult time, I’m drawn to my knees in prayer.
My favorite time of prayer is when I feel my prayers break through to Heaven. I’m not sure if this breakthrough is God answering my prayer or just the point where I finally surrender the outcome to Him. Either way, I know God heard my prayer, and my heart is filled with joy.
But even then, after having a wonderful prayer time, knowing God heard me, the next day the burden can be weighing on my heart again. Why? Is my faith too weak? Maybe. But regardless, I bring that request back before the throne of grace because I know my Father cares for me.
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
Over the years, the Lord has taught me that prayer is not only about bringing our requests to Him. It is also about learning to put our eyes on Him.
Sometimes I come to God with my attention fixed entirely on the problem. I can see the mountain in front of me, and it feels enormous. The situation seems impossible. And I can become so focused on the problem that it becomes larger in my mind than God.
But the Lord reminds me to look up.
The mountain may still be there, but God is bigger than the mountain. The circumstances may not have changed, but I’ve placed it into my Father’s hands. The motivation of prayer changes from praying out of fear to praying out of faith.
Philippians 4:6–7 reminds us:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
So the situation doesn’t have to be resolved before we experience God’s peace. We can experience His peace as soon as we bring our request to Him. But we can come back to Him in prayer anytime we need to if the worry returns. He’s our Father. He wants us to come to Him in times of doubt.
Prayer is not a formula. It’s a relationship. We’re not guaranteed a certain outcome because we pray a certain way or say all the right words. Prayer is where we communicate with our Father, a real person, and get to know Him and learn His ways.
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