Key scripture – “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20).

We have all experienced a situation where we were in a vulnerable place that is already rubbed raw and something happens that attacks us in that area. Instead of letting that discourage you and beat you down use it as a wake-up call to get more intentional in praying about your struggle.

We need to remember that thinking about, talking about, and worrying about something is not the same as praying about it. Turn that problem, circumstance, struggle, person or stronghold into a blessing by using it as the catalyst that spurs you to increase your prayer life and keep praying even though you do not see immediate answers from God.

I know it’s tough to keep praying all the way through a messy, hard, complicated situation when you are not hearing from God right away but we have to learn to wait patiently on Him and trust His timing. “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” (Psalm 27: 14).

Maybe you’ve been there. Maybe you are there now and you are wondering, “Is God hearing my prayers? Does He see what is happening?” I want to speak hope into your heart and let you know 3 ways to press through unanswered prayers?

1. Know with confidence God hears your prayers. 1 John 5:14 reminds us, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (NIV). “Trust in The Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6).

2. Trust that prayer makes a difference, even when you don’t see the difference. It may take a while for you to see God answer your prayers but don’t miss the “in the meantime answer” you can receive right away. Philippians 4: 6-7 reminds us of the immediate answer to every prayer: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV). Did you catch it? It’s the peace of God that will guard your heart and mind in the process while you’re waiting for Him to reveal His answer to your request.

God also provides refreshing springs, which are blessings, along the way while you wait for the answer to your prayer. “What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Baca (Weeping), it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.” (Psalm 84:5-7). When you pray, you are doing your part and God will certainly do His part.

3. Tell fear and doubt that they it have no place in your thoughts or your prayers. Your prayers are your gateway to feel an assurance you don’t see yet. But fear will beg you to focus on the problem not God’s promises. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (NIV). There is no need to fear because God is right there with You, He never leaves. And “If God is for us, who can ever be against us.” (Romans 8:31). “Do not be afraid for I am with you.” (Isaiah 44:5). “From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done. “(Isaiah 43:13). “The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me.” (Psalm 118:6). “The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord, their refuge in a time of distress. The Lord helps and delivers them from the wicked and will save them because they take refuge in Him.” (Psalm 37:39-40).

When you focus on God’s promises and the fact that you serve a BIG BIG God you will start thinking about life from the standpoint of truth from God’s Word, not your feelings and emotions, and you will have peace and joy.

I pray that you fall in love with Jesus and that God infuses you with wisdom so that you understand that God can take the things that others intended to use to harm you, and use those things for good to accomplish His purposes, as today’s key verse reminds us.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I cry out to You because I am in pain. I know that only You can turn what was meant for evil into good. I am praying to You with deep assurance that You hear me and will bring good from this in Your time and in Your way. Give me the strength and courage to pray all the way through the ups and downs and to “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). I thank You in advance for all that You’re going to do in my life and how this too will become a blessing. Give me the strength and wisdom to stand firm. I put all my weight on Your promises as I trust in and lean on them to hold me up and sustain me. I will walk by faith and not by what I see or hear or feel. In Jesus’ Name, I pray Amen.