We Won't Stop Praying

How do you deal with unanswered prayer? It may be the hardest thing a Christian must deal with. I don't have an answer. Only God has that answer. I know and trust that God has a perspective much greater than mine and I know there is a reason that I cannot see. God's answer may not be the same as what I'm expecting or hoping for.

There is a beautiful contemporary Christian song, "Don't Stop Praying" by Matthew West, 2024, that I've been listening to that reminds me that God hears everything I pray.

"Don't Stop Praying"

"What's your impossible? Your "I need a miracle" What's got you barely hanging by a thread? What looks so hopeless now? What weighs down your heart with doubt? You beg for a breakthrough, but no sign of breakthrough yet When you've cried, and you've cried 'til your tears run dry The answer won't come, and you don't know why And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time Don't stop praying Don't stop calling on Jesus' name Keep on pounding on Heaven's door And let your knees wear out the floor Don't stop believing "Cause mountains move with just a little faith And your Father's heard every single word you're saying So, don't stop praying He's close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit The Alpha and Omega knows how your story ends When you've cried, and you've cried 'till your tears run dry The answer won't come, and you don't know why And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time Oh, do it one more time And don't stop praying...Don't stop praying that His will be done...Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen..." 

This poem from a friend by St. Francis de Sales, brings me peace:

"Have no fear for what tomorrow may bring. The same Loving God who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. God will either shield you from suffering, or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside All anxious thoughts and imagination."

"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be," (Psalm 139:16 NIV).

Great and Loving God, Thank you for hearing our prayers and for knowing when our hearts are breaking. Help us when we struggle to understand Your Will and let us remember that You will care for us with Your loving hands today and forever. You hold the Wisdom; we put our trust in You, and we will not stop praying to You. In Jesus' Holy Name, we pray. Amen.