The Bravest Prayer You Can Pray
Mark Batterson is the pastor of the National Community Church in Washington DC and author of several books
“The bravest prayer you can pray is the one you prayed a hundred times which God has never answered.”
This quote stood out to me because of how true it felt. Batterson told about his personal struggle with asthma. Every day of his life he carried around a handheld inhaler that contained medicine he needed to help him breathe in case of an asthma attack. For over forty years there was very few days that went by where he didn’t need this device. His personal brave prayer was for healing.
It’s Easy To Give Up
You can imagine how easy it would be to give up on that prayer. Forty years he had been praying off and on for this, and each time there was no difference in his condition. Insanity is often defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. That is what prayer can often feel like.
For many years I had struggled with pornography. Certainly God would want to answer my pray for healing of this addiction. And yet, year after year the struggle continued. My wife has had troubles sleeping through the night. It seems such a simple prayer request to answer (as said by someone that sleeps well). Still, that particular prayer goes unanswered.
Sure, we understand God may have His reasons for delaying the answer to some prayers or not answering others. The point is we are tempted to give up all together. We feel like the repetitive gong, where we are annoying God with a request He obviously doesn’t want to answer.
Hang On To The Goodness of God
At some point we need to let go of our frustration and hang on to the goodness of God. It takes brave prayers to continue believing God wants to answer your request. Have you given up praying about something because it seems that God doesn’t what to answer it? I want to encourage you to hang on – your prayers are not going unnoticed. God always rewards faith (Hebrews 11:6).
I would love to hear from you. What are some prayers that are hard for you to continue to pray? What are some prayers that God finally answered? Please send me both. I would love to come alongside you in prayer. And, it would be great to share your answers to prayers to the other readers to encourage them to continue trusting God in their circumstances.
I look forward to hearing from you.
If you purchase any of Batterson’s books from these links, Amazon will give me about 1% of the sale. Small things like this help me keep the prayer coach site up. Thank you.
I have been praying to God in Jesus Name trusting that he will change my financial situation.Right now i have unpaid Rent, School fees for my kids and food is a problem.
Still praying and quoting scripture and proclaiming his word.But still no answer.
Am feeling frustrated and pinned to a corner.I have nowhere to turn apart from God.Only me and God alone.
But he does not answer my prayer.Everyday i wake up feeling downcast but at times am energized to pray.
I wonder what to do or say to God.Am just abandoning myself to him now.I know its not in his word that i should lack.That my kids should be at home when other kids are in School.
That is not the God i know
Dear Louis,
I completely understand. These are times when you need to hold onto God’s truths even when you can’t visibly see them. We walk by faith and not by sight. These times can be hard, but God rewards your faith. I pray that you will see heavenly resources released into your life as provisions to care for you and your family. May God reveal Himself as your Heavenly Father who provide for all your needs. Thank you for sharing. I pray that God will grant you the strength to continue to believe Him to provide.
Blessings,
Kevin
Dear Louis keep praying GODis listening JESUSis there also petitioning for us I pray also for you and your kids
I have a testimony to share. For the past 12 months or more I have been praying for my son’s healing. He struggled with IBS to the extent of leaving his job. We took him through 10 doctors to no avail. I prayed and prayed all different types of prayers until I almost gave up. But I remember one afternoon when I prayed and I was interrupted by visitors. 2 of my nieces came and as we discussed the problem of my son’s sickness they told me to try take him to India for treatment. I had no money for that kind of a trip. I doubted the India trip and it took the next 4 months to finally send him because he was now hooked on dangerous painkillers just so he could temporarily get relief. I finally took the little money I had and sent him for treatment. He arrived in India on a Thursday and treatment just took him 4 days and he started feeling better. this experience has taught me that God always answers but we sometimes delay the manifestation of His answers because we anticipate Him to answer according to our own methods. Right now I am the happiest mother. My son is recovering very well after struggling with this disease for more than 12 months. I remember one day complaining to God asking whether He is there or it was just a waste of time talking to empty space. At that time it seemed like my prayers were hitting a brick wall.
In concluding, I want to encourage anyone who is in such a situation to hang in there. And also to watch and listen intently for His voice even in the midst of all the noise of your situation. He always gives us instructions. Wait on Him, don’t give up, follow His direction. He surely answers prayers in His own ways and time.