One of the hardest parts of our prayer life is dealing with unanswered prayers. We’ve all experienced them—sometimes they’re big, sometimes they seem small—but they leave us frustrated, asking, God, why can’t You just do this for me?
Lately, I’ve been wrestling with those thoughts in the trenches of motherhood. My 8-month-old has been going through a rough sleep regression, and every time I lay her down in her crib, I ask the Lord for good rest. You can probably guess how well that’s been going!
I know this is just a short season, and realistically, I understand that babies wake up. But I still find myself praying—over and over—for just a little more rest. And when she wakes up crying an hour later, and we have to start all over again, I feel incredibly frustrated.
What God is Doing
In sleep deprived midnight cries, I’ve found myself upset that God isn’t answering this prayer. It’s feels like such a small thing, it would be so easy for him to miraculously give us an six hour stretch of sleep (I’d even take just 4!). It seems like a small ask in the grand scheme of life.
But in this unanswered prayer, I’ve come to realize what God is doing.
He’s teaching.
He’s revealing to me my desire to control my circumstances. He’s showing me that perhaps I’m not as patient as I thought I was. He’s uncovering parts of myself that still need growth and refining.
God Speaks
I began to see this more clearly through a few back-to-back moments that all pointed me to the same passage: Daniel 3:17–18.
“If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
The first time came one night while doing a bit of tired doom-scrolling. An ad for a Christian clothing company popped up in my feed and one of the first shirts I saw simply said, “Even If.”
It was the first time I had thought of this verse in a long time, and I was reminded of how powerful this story was – for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to boldly proclaim their trust in God no matter what happened next.
Then, in the way that only God can orchestrate, He spoke again—through another unexpected and perfectly timed moment. I’ve been on an Apple Music trial (which, yes, I meant to cancel before the charge hit… but forgot!), so I’ve been making the most of the paid month.
While I was still sitting in the weight of Daniel 3:17–18 and listening to Apple Music’s random playlists, what song comes up?
“Even If” by Kutless.
Trusting in the Silence
It’s never easy to grasp an unanswered prayer. In moments of exhaustion, anger and confusion, we’re left dealing with wondering why.
Why? Why me? Why this circumstance? Where are You, Lord?
But in moments like these, God gently reminds me that I don’t have to understand the “why” I just need to trust the Who. He is near, even when the answer is “not yet,” or “not this time.” We may be too emotional, or even selfish, to see the full picture sometimes, but His plan is still perfect. Even our questions, our frustrations, and the silence are part of it.
And would you believe that after all of these signs—these moments where God whispered, “Remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego… remember ‘even if’”—the very same verses came up one more time in the Bible study I’m doing with my church group?
Boy, when God speaks, he speaks – doesn’t he?
Even if…
As I continue to reflect on this “even if” kind of faith, I’m reminded of how God is using these weary, unanswered moments not to abandon me, but to grow me closer to Him.
He uses the waiting and the weariness to teach.
He uses the silence to expose the places where our trust is still too shallow.
And He invites us—not to understand everything—but to worship anyway.
Even if the prayer isn’t answered.
Even if the night feels long.
Even if I’m tired.
Still, I will praise Him.
Even if.
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