Don't Stop Praying - a Three-Day Reading Plan With Matthew WestSample

DAY TWO: Praying Through Trials

He’s close to brokenhearted

Saves those who are crushed in spirit

The Alpha and Omega knows how your story ends

When you’ve cried and you’ve cried ‘til your tears run dry

The answer won’t come and you don’t know why

When you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time

Do it one more time

One of my favorite parts of touring is when we have our meet-and-greets. I love hearing people’s stories. It’s amazing to hear what God is doing in each of their lives. And many times, people come for more than just to get a picture with me. They want an opportunity to share a prayer need with me. They want to tell me what’s on their hearts and where they need God to show up in their own lives or in the lives of a loved one.

I never take these moments for granted. I could easily say, “I’ll be praying for you, “and then go on to the next person, but how many times have we said that, only to forget to pray. So, God spoke to my heart to stop right there and pray with them and agree with them for God to work in their situation. These opportunities have become one of my favorite parts of the night. It is powerful to agree together in prayer. It is powerful to sense God’s presence right there with us when we bow our heads. And that is because God has promised that our prayers are powerful and effective. James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

But, we don’t always “feel” like this verse applies to us, do we? There are times when we pray and feel like it’s not effective or powerful. We feel like our prayers are bouncing off the ceiling. We ask, “Is God even hearing me?” Those are the times we are tempted to give up.

I wrote, “When you wonder if you can even bow your head one more time, do it one more time,” to encourage those of you who may be ready to give up, and to stop praying. Maybe the healing you’ve prayed for hasn’t come. Your prodigal still wanders. The job opportunity passed you by again. Let me encourage you to keep your hope in Christ. God will use these trials to grow your faith and trust in Him. “Do it one more time.”

Even when it seems the Lord is silent and your pain is great, remember His promises to you. Remember that you serve a God who is greater, and there is nothing that happens outside of His control.

When you wonder how many more times you’ve got to pray, pray one more time. And know that your Father hears you.