A Reason to Keep Praying
“God, I thank you for today…” I weakly mumbled during the wee hours of the morning. My head, still laying on the pillow and my eyes tightly shut. I didn’t want to pray. I hadn’t felt up to it. So, I prayed the simple prayer I’d come accustomed to praying at the start of my mornings. The prayer out of obligation—one that made no mention of the things I longed to see come to pass. I had genuine needs and desires I longed to have met. But with the passing of time, praying for those things became increasingly difficult to do. To pray with the same intensity and fervor I’d once had concerning those matters, eventually turned out to be a challenge. There just seemed to be no reason to keep praying over it.
My former lack of enthusiasm to petition in prayer is by no means a uniquely exclusive occurrence. I’m certain, there’s countless prayers across the globe offered up in anguish, pleading for God to do something. Such as: prayers for a lost soul, a wayward child, healing, and so much more. I can just imagine the petitioning prayer line directed toward heaven is endless.
When it comes to prayer, theologically, we know God is good and causes things to work for good. But emotionally, we may give way to cynicism when trying to reconcile the truth of God’s ability and whether or not He’s willing.
When prayers go unanswered, we may be persuaded to throw our hands up and question our reason to keep praying and petitioning. But allow me a few moments to give reason for you to keep praying, even though your prayers seem to go unanswered.
The Charge to Keep Praying
Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippian believers,
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6(NIV)
At the time this was written, Paul was in prison on account of spreading the gospel. He was imprisoned for participating in the very work of the Lord the Philippians were participating in. And so, one of the themes in this letter written to the Philippian believers is how believers should conduct themselves during tough times.
Now, the first thing I think of when seeing Paul’s charge is this ability to put pen to paper and begin his exhortation with the word “rejoice” in a previous verse (v.4).
Like, seriously Paul? You’re bound in chains!
But Paul didn’t stop there.
He further instructed the believers to not be worried about what they may face in the midst of adversity but instead with thanksgiving, petition in prayer.
In light of his condition, Paul held firm to the importance of prayer; providing Christians with a guide for living life under all circumstances.
Why We Should Keep Praying
Perhaps you’re thinking, “Okay, yeah. Paul encourages believers to not be anxious but instead pray”. And perhaps you’ve taken the route of petitioning with thanksgiving in prayer. However, you’re still unsure of the reason to keep praying when by the looks of it, God seems unwilling to answer.
Well, Paul follows up his statement by giving reason to why the believer should continue petitioning in prayer with concluding,
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. – Philippians 4:7(NIV)
So, why do we continue to pray when our prayers seem to go unanswered?
Because, the peace of God which guards our heart and mind rest upon us when we do.
To save ourselves from the disappointment, we may find it easier to not petition in prayer at all. However, not requesting from God in prayer is actually a disservice to ourselves. It’s more hurtful to our hearts than actually asking God for what we need or desire.
Paul knew that needs and desires can bring about anxious thoughts. Anxiety keeps the believer from being effective in the work of the Lord set out for them to do. He understood that we can’t effectively live the life Christ calls us to if we are constantly anxious. But through petition with thanksgiving, presenting our requests to God in prayer, we receive God’s peace.
God Hears Our Prayers
There’s a mother right now whose tears are streaming down her face, interceding in prayer for her wayward child. There is a couple who has once again come humbly to the throne of grace, pleading to become parents. There is a chronically ill individual begging for pain relief. There’s a single, with a long standing prayer for their desire of marriage to be fulfilled. Yes, we all at some point find ourselves caught up in the petitioning line, pleading for something to be done.
Believe me when I say, I know the passing of time has brought about disappointment and disillusionment. But I want to encourage you to remain committed to petitioning in prayer. Keep going to the Father with prayer and thanksgiving, making your requests known. God hears. Our pleas do not fall on deaf ears. In our moments of distress, He does respond.
So take heart believer. You have a reason to keep praying. There’s a tried and true reason in the form of a promise—a promise of peace on earth as you await a change to come. And this peace will guard your heart and mind, calming any anxiety that may arise from the situation you’re currently in.
