“I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and the mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth. A song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3
It is discouraging to pray and pray, sometimes year after year, for someone dear to your heart and see no movement. To pray with continued passion and hope when there is little obvious change can become very challenging. I have certainly been in this place at times in my life. Here are some of the things I did.
1. Before diving into prayer, I took time to put my eyes and hope on God and NOT on my loved one. Sometimes I took quite a while. It is depressing if all our hope is tacked on to the individual we are praying for. Our hope is in God and it is to Him we look to set them free.
2. I listen to God as I pray. God helps us to know how to pray. He gives us insight and helps us know what is the next thing He wants to do in this situation. Strategic prayer becomes quite specific and one step at a time. I don’t think God minds if we pray the big picture but I have found that He delights to lead us step by step in specific prayer.
3. I remind myself of a number of things:
a. that Jesus is the Good Shephard and no one is beyond His reach.
b. prayer is NEVER a waste of time.
c. nothing is too hard for God. I love to give thanks to God for this unchanging truth. God is not wringing His hands in worry and distress over your loved one.
d. all of God’s promises are still true.
e. That the whole reason Jesus came was to seek and save the lost
4. I give thanks for the smallest signs of life or movement in their life.
5. I always find Bible verses I can cling to. These become my focus.
6. Finally, I rest in God and allow Him to fill me with the rest and hope that Only He can give. Cease striving, and know that He is God and we are not. We need to stop trying to rescue people or fix lives. Let God be God.
I pray that God will restore hope in your heart. If this topic resonates with you, I encourage you to get our book, Hope for an Unwanted Journey, written by Bill and I. It may prove helpful to you.
Dear Father,
Thank You for being the Author of hope and rescue. You are the One who intervenes. Thank You Father. I ask that Your Spirit would lead me as I pray for my loved one. I ask that You would restore hope in me today.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.