Tired of praying for the same thing?

There is nothing like physical pain to drive you to your knees in prayer. Time after time, I cried out to God for a sign about decisions that I take in life. Even as daily prayer, I grew weary in going to God about the same thing day in and day out.

One of the hardest challenges of the Christian walk is waiting for God to answer our prayers when we urgently need him to intervene in a circumstance that is breaking our heart, testing our faith, and robbing us of peace and joy. I have been on my knees many times with my Bible in hand, tearfully reminding God of my request.

Coincidentally, I received a text message today from a friend who also prayed for her life partner and apparently, things didn’t go in her favor. I can’t really relate to what she is feeling now. In a conversation with her about the whole situation shows that she is tired about praying for the same thing and has finally given up on my long thesis. To her, an encouragement is not what she needs now. All she said was “Akosua, I’m done with this and tired about praying for the same damn thing”

I just had to remind her and myself of this scripture text:

Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
—Isaiah 40:31

Of course, compared to the suffering in many parts of this broken world, her pain is nothing, my long overdue answers are nothing, because certainly can’t imagine what or how people are suffering and experiencing anguish in so many ways. Daily, I thank him for strength to get through the day and for food on my table. It is not as if I have it all. My heart is often broken by stories of friends who complain of issues they are facing; financial crisis, health, unfailed Job search, marital issues, etc. These are problems that only God can solve and he is calling us to pray without ceasing, because prayer is our greatest weapon against the powers and principalities of this world — that Paul talks about in Ephesians 6:12 — which are at the root of today’s suffering.

Sometimes prayers take time to fully materialize. As Psalm 40 says, sometimes we have to wait for God’s timing, One of the greatest challenges we face as Christians is continuing to believe for a miracle when all indications are “it just ain’t happening.”

So, if you are tired about praying for the same thing, as you continue crying out to the Lord, here are a few suggestions that have helped me continue to expect my miracle even when all God seems to be saying is “wait.”

• Take time to remember how much God loves you and why you are still alive and living. I keep saying, he is not done with me yet and I haven’t fufilled his purpose yet, so I can’t give up praying. I will continue to pray and hope till something happens.  In Matthew 7:9-11, we read that God wants to give us good things. So, we can be confident when we pray that God hears us and wants good things for us, those we love, and for all his creation.

• Do you still remember the things you prayed for in the past? So my bestie has been down because a failed job search and depression sometimes gets in the way. He called this morning and Viola! Good news… “Lilly, I have been called for an interview tomorrow”
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• Faith is a living expression that grows as we dare to put it into action. So, if we take time to remember all the miraculous ways he has answered our prayers in the past, we will find new courage and hope for the future — and our faith will grow.

• Fasting and praying will help us tell others of our testimonies. I take a week in every month and I plan to fast and pray for something. last year, this idea came in mind and it really did help me. My utmost hope and prayer is that God will help me be a woman of prayer and inspire other with my way of living.  Every situation imaginable has an applicable promise in the Bible. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of God is alive and active, so let God’s own words be your argument before his Throne of Grace.

• Many a time, we don’t know what to prayer for. One of my greatest frustrations when I pray is that, while I can identify the problem, I have no idea how to fix it. So, I am uncertain how to pray. That is when I claim Romans 8:26 which says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (NIV). God doesn’t need our words to know our hearts, and he is faithful to answer even our unspoken requests. I usually get sticker notes and write scripture text on them, paste it on my wall close to my bed side to remind me of the task ahead in being persistent in my walk with God.

Don’t stop and keep praying. It’ll come soon😊