Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. -Phillipians 4:6

Pray about everything. That’s exactly what I do. I pray about big things like my future and the welfare of my family, and small things like everyday decisions and even my milk supply. I pray about everything, multiple times a day…but sometimes, I don’t feel like God hears me.

Have you ever felt that way? Like you pour out your whole heart to God, seal your prayer with an amen and it doesn’t even make it past the ceiling. You don’t get a “yes” from God, but you don’t get a “no” either. You get nothing but pure silence. I know. It’s frustrating and it’s hard.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been praying for direction. Since college, I’ve gone from one dead end job to the next trying to establish a career path with no luck. I know what I’m gifted at, and yet I’ve failed to receive an opportunity in those areas. At one point, as bad as I wanted to leave my job, I stopped looking for other opportunities to soley focus on what God wanted for me. I prayed and prayed for God to open doors for me so that I could live out my purpose in his will…because surely his will isn’t for me to work a 9 to 5 job that stresses me and barely pays my bills, right? Prayer after prayer and still, no answer. Tear after tear, still no answer. Plead after plead, still no answer. September 14th, 2018, still no answer. Yet somehow, after kicking and screaming and sometimes even doubting, I still find the strength to trust God.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; -Psalm 46:10

For an unbeliever, that sounds foolish. I admit, praying and trusting and waiting with no idea when you’ll receive an answer does seem pretty crazy. But it’s easy to have this kind of faith when your hope is not in what God can do, but in who he is. He’s a way maker, promise keeper, light in the darkness and so much more. Since we know that to be true, we know we can trust in him at all times.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. -Hebrews 11:1

If you’re in a season or have been for weeks, months or even years (like me), I want to encourage you today. God hears your prayers. He sees and cares about what you’re going through. It WILL get better. You WILL get through this. Your prayers are NOT in vain. God has come through for you before and he WILL do it again. Don’t give up now, you’re too close…we’re too close.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. -Galatians 6:9

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. -1 Peter 5:7