When Your Prayers Seem to Echo

Unanswered prayer for those we love. It’s one of the hardest things to cope with as believers. If God always hears (See John 11:41-42) then why, oh why, doesn’t He always answer?

Why do our prayers sometimes seem to echo? Why do they feel like they’re accomplishing nothing at all?

The truth is when we pray for others, another person’s will is involved. And though God is sovereign and able, He desires willing hearts. The reality is we cannot surrender for someone else. And our prayers never trump a person’s freedom to choose.

So what are we supposed to do? Just give up? Tear out our hair and die of frustration? Quit praying because the pain of seemingly unanswered prayers is too much to bear?

In a word: Nevah!

Instead of despairing {which is exactly what the enemy wants}, we can shift our focus onto God’s word, which will revive our hearts and enable us to pray without ceasing. When we hold tightly to God’s word our faith expands, our determination grows, and our prayers will accomplish the very thing He desires. We can then entrust our loved ones to the Lord and release them entirely into His hands.

Here are some powerful verses that inspire me to keep praying even when things look bleak. {And girl, you know we need truth when things look bleak!} Breathe them in. Let them sink deep into your weary heart. Allow them to strengthen you and your determination to pray.

• I know that You can do all things, and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted. (Job 42:2)

• Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

• For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

• He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

• The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16)

Remember, when it seems like your prayers are echoing: Breathe in God’s word. Entrust your loved one to Him Who is able. Release them entirely into his hands. And keep praying.

Breathe. Entrust. Release. Pray. {Repeat as necessary.}

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The Voice That Punctures Confusion

It started out as slight uncertainty. 

A befuddling dream where I was driving the wrong way on a one-way street startled me awake. Groggy, my first thought was, Lord, am I headed the wrong way? Though the dream left me slightly shaken, a full day kept me from thinking much about it. But a small cloud of uncertainty formed right over my head.

The very next night, another dream: I was stepping out to cross the street and was nearly hit by a speeding car. That sure woke me up fast. Again, an odd sense that I was headed in the wrong direction hovered. I prayed, Lord, do I need to stop going forward? This time I took time to think and pray.

For many weeks prior to the dreams I had been praying about decisions, and as a result I was currently stepping out into areas I felt certain the Lord had specifically spoken to me about. I had prayed long and hard about each step, asking Him for wisdom and following after peace.

And now these dreams made me second-guess myself. That small cloud of uncertainty over my head grew into full out confusion.

So I asked the Lord to speak to my heart. To bring clarity and enable me to understand if I was to continue moving forward or stop.

Later that afternoon as I mopped my kitchen floor, the beautiful simplicity of truth dawned on me. This is not how my Father speaks to me! Even when I’m headed in the wrong direction, His voice is gentle and peace-filled and brings wisdom and clarity. His voice does not bring confusion.

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. (1 Corinthians 14:33) (ESV)

Knowing our Father’s voice helps us recognize the lies of the enemy. His voice punctures right through confusion, stops lies, and brings peace.

The truth is:

• The enemy speaks lie. When he lies, he speaks his native language. (See John 8:44) And lies bring confusion.

• The enemy opposes the plans and purposes of God and tempts us not to trust God. (See Matthew 4:1-11) 

• The enemy wants us to doubt what God has spoken to our hearts so we become confused and then go off track. (See Genesis 3)

But knowing and recognizing our Father’s voice protects us. It enables us to walk in confidence, knowing He goes before us and guides us.

After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. (John 10:4)

 As soon as I realized that the enemy had infringed on my dreams, the confusion they had brought disappeared, and I continued moving forward. Honestly, I am not sorry I had the dreams; God used those dreams to help increase my discernment and show me how vastly different His voice is from the voice of the enemy.

It’s something we must all continually strive toward: knowing His voice more intimately. 

…progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly. (Philippians 3:8b) (AMP)

Lord, help me, help us all, to know You more deeply and more intimately, and to hear and recognize Your voice. May Your awesome voice always puncture confusion and bring truth in our lives. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

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