I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you.
Psalm 22:22 NIV
Have you ever poured out your heart in prayer, only for God to seem silent? Many believers, consequently, experience seasons of deep lament. We cry out to Him, questioning His timing and purpose. Yet, even in these difficult moments, we can begin finding hope in our unanswered prayers. This journey often starts by wrestling with God, just as the Psalmist did.
Our personal devotions often begin with heavy hearts. We reflect on prayers that seem to go unheard. Situations appear unchanging, despite our earnest pleas. For example, we might carry concerns for a loved one’s deteriorating health. We also pray for the salvation of family members and friends. Likewise, we may lament challenges faced by friends in their marriages. It may be a long-standing struggle with infertility that deeply affects us. Consequently, we cry out to God, repeatedly asking God to do the miraculous. We might even be seeking revival in the church.
However, even amidst our cries, we realise the importance of continually raising our voice to God. We acknowledge His sole sovereignty and holiness. Psalm 22:3 offers a comforting reminder, stating, ‘Yet You are enthroned as the Holy One.’ Though we may not have received our answers yet, God remains the same. His power to do the miraculous has not and will never change. Therefore, we can find strength knowing that the delayed answer is not because God has lost the power to do what we praying for.
Even when we plead with God, echoing Psalm 22:11, ‘Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.’ We recognise God as the only true source of help during distress. Moreover, we pray, referencing Psalm 22:19-21, asking Him to ‘come quickly to help’ and ‘deliver from the sword.’ We also request Him to ‘rescue our precious life.’ We extend these prayers for deliverance and rescue to the church, our land, family members, siblings, and friends. We trust God to intervene powerfully. Our eyes must never shift from that truth, and we must continue find hope in the only God who is able to help even when our prayers remain unanswered.
When Prayers Feel Unheard
Ultimately, we can find comfort in God’s mercy. Psalm 22:22 marks a pivotal turning point for us. It declares, ‘I will declare Your name to My people; in the assembly I will praise You.’ This verse indeed prompts a significant shift within us. It moves us from complaining to pressing into praise. This transformation is not easy, but it is deeply rewarding.
We are called to fear the Lord, to honour and revere Him. God certainly deserves our continuous praise, honour, and reverence. For instance, He has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted. Furthermore, He does not hide His face from us. Instead, He listens attentively to our cries for help. While we reflect on our earlier laments of ‘Why, God, why?’ We must also realise the greater importance of acknowledging what God has already done. He is also actively working in our lives.
Likewise, we must understand that God has heard our cries. He has not hidden His face, as we initially feared. This corrects the misconception that God has forsaken us or the church. Moreover, God listens to the cry of the church and never forsakes His people. This truth brings immense peace when finding hope in unanswered prayers.
Turning Lament into Praise
God has indeed listened to the cries of the church. Psalm 22:26 promises that ‘the poor will eat and be satisfied.’ It also states that ‘those who seek the Lord will praise Him.’ We must envision a future where ‘all the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord.’ We are to believe that ‘all the families of the nations will bow down before Him.’ Dominion, deliverance, and power belong solely to the Lord. He rules over all nations.
Future generations will certainly serve Him. They will also be taught about the Lord. The ultimate hope is that the future generations will not just talk about the church. They will speak about the Lord Himself. They will proclaim God’s righteousness. Finally, they will declare to those yet unborn, ‘He has done it.’ This deep conviction helps us keep finding hope in unanswered prayers.
Living It Out
Let us hold fast to God’s unfailing promises. Believe that all our prayers will be answered in His perfect timing. Trust that God will act and perform His wonders, even within this lifetime. And while we wait, let us proclaim His praise every day. Do not allow waiting to hinder your praise and thanksgiving, for in the end, your testimony shall be: “He has done it”.