When Prayers Seem Unanswered: Finding Faith in the Silence

In this heartfelt episode of The God Chaser Podcast, host Evan Evans tackles a deeply personal and often painful subject that many believers grapple with - the feeling of unanswered prayers. Do you ever feel like your prayers are hitting a ceiling, as if God has put you on mute? You're not alone.

Evan speaks directly to those in the midst of this struggle, acknowledging the real pain and frustration that come with feeling unheard. Drawing on powerful biblical examples like Abraham's 25-year wait for a promised son and Hannah's anguish over infertility, Evan reminds us that God's silence doesn't equate to His absence. 

Discover the reasons why God sometimes makes us wait and learn how these silent seasons can lead to profound spiritual growth and character development. This episode offers practical advice on maintaining faith, persisting in prayer, and finding God's presence in the waiting. 

Tune in for encouragement, scriptural insights, and a reminder that God is working all things together for your good, even when you can't see it. Subscribe, comment, and share this episode with those who need a word of hope today.

**Tags:** Faith, Prayer, Unanswered Prayers, Spiritual Growth, Biblical Insights, Encouragement, Christian Living

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Welcome to the God Chaser podcast. I'm your host, evan Evans, and I'm so grateful that you're joining us today. Before we dive into today's powerful topic, I want to take a moment to thank all of our listeners for your continued support. Your feedback, comments and shares mean the world to us and help us reach more people with messages of hope and faith. If you haven't already, please subscribe to the podcast and leave a comment. Sharing this podcast with your friends and family is one of the best ways to help us grow our community and spread the word.

Speaker 1: 0:34

Today's episode is about a deeply personal and often painful subject that many believers struggle with the feeling of unanswered prayers. Have you ever felt like your prayers are hitting a ceiling, like God has somehow put you on mute? If so, you're not alone. I want to speak directly to those of you who might be in that place right now. Maybe you're a hardworking single parent, juggling the demands of a challenging career with the responsibilities of raising children on your own. You've been praying fervently for a breakthrough, for help, for some sign that God hears you, but the silence has been deafening.

Speaker 1: 1:15

In this episode, we'll acknowledge the very real pain of feeling unheard in prayer. It's a struggle that can shake the foundations of our faith. The psalmist captures this anguish beautifully in Psalm 13, verses 1 and 2. These words resonate deeply with anyone who's experienced the pain of seemingly unanswered prayers. It's okay to admit that it hurts, it's okay to acknowledge the frustration and discouragement. God can handle our honest emotions. But here's the thing Just because we don't see or hear God's response doesn't mean he's not listening or working.

Speaker 1: 2:08

The Bible is full of examples of people who waited, sometimes for years, for God's promises to be fulfilled. We'll look at Abraham, who waited 25 years for the promise of a son to be fulfilled, and Hannah, who prayed year after year for a child and endured the pain of infertility before God answered her prayers. These stories remind us that God's silence doesn't mean His absence. His timing is not our timing and His ways are not our ways. As we read in Isaiah 55, verses 8-9,.

Speaker 1: 2:43

We'll explore why God sometimes makes us wait and what we can learn during these silent seasons. Waiting periods can be times of spiritual growth and character development. Paul writes in Romans, chapter 5, verses 3 to 4, we can rejoice too when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance, and endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. By the end of this episode, you'll have a deeper understanding of how to maintain your faith during these silent seasons and how to keep trusting when it feels like your prayers are going unanswered. So stay tuned and let's dive deep into the topic of unanswered prayers. Remember to subscribe, comment and share this podcast with those who might need a word of encouragement today. Thank you for being part of the God Chaser podcast no-transcript.

Speaker 2: 3:42

Welcome to the God Chaser podcast, the ultimate destination for those yearning to cultivate a passionate, intimate relationship with God. Join your host, Evan Evans, as he explores the depths of scripture, shares inspiring testimonies and provides practical guidance to help you become a true God Chaser, Discover the transformative power of pursuing God's presence and be inspired to reignite your spiritual journey. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on an adventure that will change your life forever. Welcome to the God Chaser Podcast. Let the chase begin.

Speaker 1: 4:20

Welcome to the God Chaser Podcast. I'm your host, evan Evans. Today we're diving into a deeply personal and often painful topic that many believers struggle with the feeling of unanswered prayers. Have you ever felt like your prayers are hitting a ceiling, like God has somehow put you on mute? If so, you're not alone. I want to speak directly to those of you who might be in that place right now. Maybe you're a hardworking single parent, juggling the demands of a challenging career with the responsibilities of raising children on your own. You've been praying fervently for breakthrough, for help, for some sign that God hears you, but the silence has been deafening.

Speaker 1: 5:04

Let's start by acknowledging the very real pain of feeling unheard in prayer. It's a struggle that can shake the foundations of our faith. The psalmist captures this anguish beautifully in Psalm chapter 13, verses 1 to 2. O Lord, how long will you forget me Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? These words resonate deeply with anyone who's experienced the pain of seemingly unanswered prayers. It's okay to admit that it hurts. It's okay to acknowledge the frustration and discouragement. God can handle our honest emotions, but here's the thing Just because we don't see or hear God's response doesn't mean he's not listening or working.

Speaker 1: 5:58

The Bible is full of examples of people who waited, sometimes for years, for God's promises to be fulfilled. Let's look at Abraham. God promised him a son, an heir through whom all nations would be blessed, but it wasn't until Abraham was 100 years old that this promise was fulfilled. In Genesis, chapter 12, verse 4, we learn that Abraham was 75 when he first received the promise. That's a 25-year wait. Can you imagine waiting that long for a prayer to be answered? Or consider Hannah, a woman who desperately wanted a child. In 1 Samuel, chapter 1, verses 10 to 11, we read Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord, and she made this vow O Lord of heaven's armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime and, as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut. Hannah prayed year after year, enduring the pain of infertility and the cruel taunts of her husband's other wife, but God heard her prayers and in his timing she conceived and gave birth to Samuel, who would become one of Israel's greatest prophets.

Speaker 1: 7:21

These stories teach us an important truth God's silence doesn't mean his absence. His timing is not our timing and His ways are not our ways. As we read in Isaiah, chapter 55, verses 8 to 9, my thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord, and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your. So why does God sometimes make us wait? What's the purpose of these silent seasons?

Speaker 1: 7:58

First, waiting periods can be times of spiritual growth and character development. In Romans, chapter 5, verses 3 to 4, paul writes we can rejoice too when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance, and endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. When we're forced to wait, when we have to persevere through unanswered prayers, it builds spiritual muscles, it deepens our faith and teaches us to trust God, even when we can't see or feel his presence. Secondly, waiting can prepare us for the answer when it comes. Sometimes we're not ready for what we're asking for. God, in his wisdom, knows this. He uses the waiting period to shape us, to make us ready for the blessing or responsibility that's coming.

Speaker 1: 8:55

Think about Joseph in the Old Testament. He had dreams of leadership, but before those dreams could be fulfilled, he had to go through years of slavery and imprisonment. Those difficult years shaped his character and prepared him for the role he would eventually play in saving his family and the entire nation of Egypt from famine. Thirdly, waiting teaches us to value God for who he is, not just for what he can give us. It's easy to love God when the blessings are flowing, when every prayer is answered exactly as we want. But do we still love him, still trust him, when the silence is deafening? That's the kind of faith God is looking for.

Speaker 1: 9:40

Job, a man who suffered unimaginable loss, exemplifies this kind of faith. In Job, chapter 13, verse 15, he declares God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him. Despite his suffering, despite feeling abandoned by God, job clung to his faith. So how do we maintain our faith during these silent seasons? How do we keep trusting when it feels like our prayers are going unanswered?

Speaker 1: 10:13

First, we need to remember God's character he is good, loving and faithful, even when we can't see it. Psalm 100, verse 5, reminds us, for the Lord is good, his unfailing love continues forever and his faithfulness continues to each generation. When you're tempted to doubt God's goodness or love, remind yourself of who he is. Reflect on times in the past when he's come through for you. Read scripture that affirms his character. Our feelings can deceive us, but God's nature never changes.

Speaker 1: 10:48

Secondly, we need to persist in prayer. Jesus told a parable about a persistent widow to teach us the importance of not giving up in prayer. In Luke, chapter 18, verses 1 to 8, jesus encourages us to keep praying and not lose heart. This doesn't mean we badger God or try to wear Him down. Rather, it's about maintaining communication with Him, even when it feels one-sided. Keep pouring out your heart to Him, keep bringing your requests before Him, but also listen, sometimes in the silence. If we're really paying attention, god speaks in whispers.

Speaker 1: 11:28

Thirdly, we need to broaden our perspective. Sometimes we're so focused on the specific answer we want that we miss how God might be answering our prayer in a different way. In 2 Corinthians 12, verses 7-9, paul talks about a thorn in his flesh that he repeatedly prayed for God to remove. God's answer wasn't to remove the thorn, but to give Paul the grace to bear it. Could it be that God is answering your prayer, just not in the way you expected? Could he be using your circumstances to shape you, to draw you closer to him, to prepare you for something greater?

Speaker 1: 12:08

Fourthly, we need to lean into community. When we're struggling with unanswered prayers, it's tempting to isolate ourselves, but this is exactly when we need the support and encouragement of other believers. Hebrews, chapter 10, verses 24 to 25, urges us Find trusted friends or mentors who can pray with you, encourage you and remind you of God's faithfulness when you're struggling to see it yourself. Fifthly, we need to keep serving and loving others. It's easy to become self-absorbed when we're waiting on God, focused entirely on our own needs and desires, but often it's in serving others that we find purpose and joy, even in the midst of our own unanswered prayers. In Acts, chapter 16, we read about Paul and Silas worshiping God and encouraging their fellow prisoners, even while they were unjustly imprisoned. Their focus wasn't on their circumstances, but on honoring God and serving others, regardless of their situation. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, we need to shift our focus from the answer we're seeking to the God we're seeking.

Speaker 1: 13:37

The ultimate purpose of prayer isn't to get things from God, but to get more of God. As we read in Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 13,. Use this time of waiting to deepen your relationship with God. Study His Word more deeply. Spend time in worship, not just asking for things, but expressing your love and adoration for who he is. Practice sitting in His presence, even when it feels silent. Remember, sometimes the silence is more about God wanting to give us Himself than about Him withholding something from us. He wants our hearts, our trust, our love, not just our wish lists.

Speaker 1: 14:25

As we wrap up, I want to speak directly to those of you who are in a season of waiting. Right now, maybe you're a single parent, juggling work and family responsibilities, feeling overwhelmed and wondering why God hasn't answered your prayers for help or relief. I want you to know that God sees you, he hears you. Your prayers are not bouncing off the ceiling, even if it feels that way. In Psalm 56, verse 8, we read this beautiful promise you keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. God is intimately aware of every tear you've cried, every silent prayer you've uttered. He's collecting them all and in his perfect timing, he will answer.

Speaker 1: 15:12

But while you're waiting, don't waste the wait. Allow this time to draw you closer to God. Let it deepen your faith and strengthen your character. Choose to trust Him even when you can't trace Him, and remember the promise in Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 31 to 31. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Speaker 1: 15:45

Your current circumstances are not your final destination. God is working even in the silence. He is faithful even when we can't feel it, and he is good all the time. So keep praying, keep seeking, keep trusting and know that you are deeply loved by a God who hears every prayer and who is working all things together for your good. Thank you for joining me on the God Chaser podcast. Until next time, may you find strength and peace in the presence of our faithful God, even in the silence. In the presence of our faithful God, even in the silence. This episode of the God Chaser podcast is proudly sponsored by God Chaser Apparel, the clothing line designed to empower and inspire your spiritual journey.

Speaker 2: 16:35

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Speaker 1: 17:29

May you not just chase God but find him in the blessings, big and small, that he has in store for you. And there we have it, folks. Another episode of God Chaser wrapped up. We hope you've been blessed by today's discussion and we look forward to diving into more life-transforming topics with you in the future. Stay blessed and keep chasing after God.