In the book I Prayed and Nothing Changed, Ste Casey explores the question:

What is God up to in the silence?

There have been many times in my life when my answer to that question might have been something like “I hope God’s ‘up to’ what I’ve asked him for …” or “I hope he’s working in the ways I want him to.”

But I am learning (slowly, very slowly…) how God invites me to trust him, even as I wait in the silence.   

In this short, but helpful book, Ste Casey helps us consider how God is always at work for our good and his glory, even when we may not be able to see evidence of that.

Much of this book draws from 2 Corinthians which is our current sermon series at Globe and has been helpful, especially as I’ve wrestled with 2 Corinthians 12. 

We are right to come to God and ask him for what we need. The Lord’s prayer encourages us to ask for our daily bread. God welcomes us as his children to let our requests be made known. (Philippians 4:6)

But prayer isn’t about me giving God my wish list and hoping for a yes. It’s also about hearing from him and getting to know his heart. It’s about seeing how he is shaping and transforming my heart even as I pray. Trusting God and depending on him when he’s silent or says no isn’t easy, but he promises to listen and care about the things we find hard and heavy (Psalm 40)

One way this book encouraged me:

God knows my heart, and he knows what I need. He knows what will cause me to become more like Jesus and he will lovingly guide my steps in that direction.

My Father’s kind and compassionate heart may say no to what I ask for, or it may seem like he’s gone quiet – but he will never leave me or forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:8).

God is lovingly and patiently working in my life – and he will be faithful to complete that work – we can be confident of that (Philippians 1:6)

One way this book challenged me:

Am I willing to bring my prayers to God whilst allowing him to adjust my gaze if I’m focussed on the wrong thing?

What if, as I come to God and wait on him, he is moving in my heart in a way where WHO I’m praying to becomes more precious to me than the THING(S) I’m praying for? If what I am praying for becomes the object of my worship, a “no” may be one way God helps reorient my heart back to him.

One way this book encouraged me to pray:

When I feel the pain or discouragement of unanswered prayer, I can bring that to God. 

When life is difficult and God’s silence feels personal, instead of turning away from prayer and God’s word, he invites me to turn to him and share my struggles. 

“O my people, trust in him at all times.

Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.”

Psalm 62:8

If you’d like to speak to someone about the themes raised in this post you can email care@globe.church.