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When It Looks Like It’s Over (Praying Through Defeat)

And we had our hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. And it is now the third day since it happened. Luke 24:21 (MSG)

Remember, we get the privilege of reading the Easter story with the insight of hindsight. We know how the story ends — Jesus’ friends didn’t. We jump straight to the miracle, but they lived through the mess.

Even after Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, it was easier for the disciples to accept His body had been stolen than to believe He had actually conquered death.

The miracle was in motion, and yet we read in Luke 24 about two followers of Jesus who were walking away in defeat. They had waited in Jerusalem for three days, but now they were making the seven-mile journey back to Emmaus. Why stick around? The show was over.

Jesus decided to journey with them as they walked away from their miracle. And although they were prevented from recognizing Him, Jesus taught them as He walked with them. He interpreted scriptures for them and gave them a deeper understanding of who He was — in the middle of their doubts and defeat.

It wasn’t until He sat down to eat with them that their eyes were opened and they recognized it was Jesus who had been walking with them all along.

This is still true for us today. In the middle of our disappointment, we’re tempted to quit. We lose heart. We lose patience. We lose faith. But even if it seems like God is late, it’s too soon to stop seeking Him. Just like the two travelers on the road to Emmaus, we often only see God’s fingerprints looking back.

There’s a difference between praying about something and praying through something. Don’t assume because your prayer didn’t get answered the way you hoped that a miracle isn’t in motion. Keep pressing on. Keep knocking. Keep praying. Prayer keeps you connected to God, and while He may not change your situation He will shift your perspective.

Consider this: Before Jesus went to the cross, He went to the grave of Lazarus — only He showed up four days after Lazarus had been buried. The situation was beyond repair. If Jesus had come sooner, Lazarus wouldn’t have died.

But when Jesus showed up, Martha, Lazarus’ sister, said through grief, “Yet even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give you.”

Yet even now.

Even if God is late and the door seems closed, will you have the faith to pray even now?

Bring your “even if” situation to the Father today and pray this prayer.

Father, even though You didn’t ______________ and even if ____________ doesn’t work out, even now, I look to You. You are still Provider, Healer, Comforter, and Sustainer. You can still do all things. You know the places where I have lost heart and lost faith — the places where I’m tempted to quit and walk away, but I don’t want to miss a miracle You’ve set in motion. So I commit today to keep asking. To keep seeking. To keep knocking. And to allow You to change me in the process. Even now, I trust You. Even now, I welcome resurrection. In Jesus’ name, amen.