Recently, I spent far too much time on hold with an insurance carrier only to be told they didn’t have a satisfactory solution to my dilemma. Having to call back multiple times and re-explain the entire situation almost caused me to lose faith in humanity. “They really don’t care,” I thought, as I struggled not to let it ruin my day. 

But what about when this happens with our prayers? What about when it seems like God is silent and we aren’t getting an answer?

Our world has conditioned us for instant gratification. In this age of Google and ChatGPT, we can ask questions and receive immediate responses. We order from Amazon and have the item on our doorstep within hours. Have you tried Uber Eats? We can direct our lives and homes from our smartphones without ever getting off the couch. However, I have come to the conclusion that is not how the Creator of the universe works. 

Over the past few years, I have been praying some big prayers, pouring my heart out to God for my loved ones with issues that weigh heavily on my heart. If I can be honest, sometimes it feels like—crickets. I have my own ideas about what the solutions should be and the timeline for resolving these problems. (Right now would be nice!) And it sometimes feels like God isn’t listening to me, which can cause me to doubt His love and goodness or wonder if He even cares at all.

Have you ever felt like God doesn’t hear you? Have you been discouraged when answers to your prayers seem to be absent?

I have felt disappointed and burdened by my lack of trust while navigating the silence. I tend to jump to conclusions like, “I must not be important enough.” As I’ve spent more time in prayer, I’ve learned that God is indeed speaking; I’ve just needed to learn how to “hear” Him, how to tune into the way He is talking to me. This is where Scripture becomes important. Reading my Bible and learning what God says has helped me train my ear to recognize His voice.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)

This verse from the Book of Psalms has helped me immensely during times when I felt God wasn’t listening, and I thought He was too silent. In reality, He has much to say about my situation and the things I’m praying for.

The Psalmist invites us to “wait for the Lord.” This is likely an important point, as it is repeated twice. While we might just glaze over this verse, let’s really think about it and take it to prayer. There are some important nuggets hidden here, a posture that can help us find peace and understanding when the answers aren't coming quickly enough.

Waiting can be incredibly difficult, and I have tended toward impatience my entire life. As a child, do you remember how hard it was to wait for Christmas or your birthday to arrive? Waiting for school to end, finding our soulmate, the birth of a child, a check to arrive, and the test results to come back—all of these scenarios test our patience. But when we wait for God to answer, it requires strength. It calls us to trust in His goodness and care. 

I’m reminded of the Old Testament story (Joshua 5:6) about how the Israelites experienced a long period of waiting on the Lord. Their journey to the Promised Land took a detour that lasted forty years, and throughout this time, God was still with them. Over the course of many decades, they learned more about who God was and were continually reminded of His faithfulness and love. He was leading them so that they could live lives of holiness. And similar to the Israelites, God is guiding us, too.  

There is good news to be found in the waiting, friend. While we may never know why God chooses to delay answering some of our prayers, we can experience spiritual growth based on how we choose to respond. An unanswered or long-awaited prayer can help us to grow stronger in the virtues of patience and courage. Waiting for God to answer can be a way to show Him that we trust Him. We can actively do this by continuing to pray and worship Him (Psalm 9:1–2), recalling all the times that He has been faithful in answering our prayers. His silence isn’t a rejection, but often it’s an invitation to trust Him more deeply.

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). 

Do you want to grow in faith?
Do you desire to trust God more?
Do you want to grow in strength and virtue? 

Wait for the Lord.

Waiting patiently with you,
Karen

P.S. Want to learn more about prayer? Check out Lesson 4: Why and How Should I Pray? in the Walking with Purpose Bible study, Opening Your Heart.

About the author:
Karen O’Malley is a coach and ministry support representative at Walking with Purpose. An interior designer by trade, she has set aside fabric swatches and paint samples to focus on inspiring inner transformation in women's hearts and is always looking for creative ways to encourage women to grow in their faith. Sunny San Diego has always been home, and her husband John and growing family remain her greatest joy.