When God is Silent

Do you need hope when you want answers from God, but He is silent? We will explore spiritual practices to do when God is silent. If you are in need of more hope, read How Can I Become a Good Person?

I have searched for and confessed every sin in my mind I know about. I start each day by offering my body, weaknesses, addictions and idols in prayer to God, so I live in the spirit and His power is made perfect in my weaknesses. I pray frequently but God is still silent. I know my prayer request is His will. But this is a time of suffering, a time of pain and separation. It is not supposed to be this way. Love is turning to hate. Anger is so close, but I don’t dare express it. Suppressed anger is dangerous and produces depression.

God Is in Control

Since my prayer need involves another person and their will, it is defeating because I can’t change them. I ask God to change the other person, but the last thing God told me a few months ago was to attend a recovery ministry and work on myself. Not only is God preparing me by cleaning me up, but He is also preparing the other person. Now I hear only silence from God.  

What if the other person rejects me so reconciliation doesn’t happen? I have given control of this relationship to God, so I cannot complain about His management of it. If I ask God to change the other person, am I not trusting His control? God will answer and provide, maybe not in the way I expect, but just not now. I have less worry when I pray nonconditional prayers such as, “God, I trust you with this relationship,  and I ask that Your will be done and that I accept it faithfully.”

God’s Timing

Maybe it is His will but not His timing. Maybe He is not finished preparing me. Right now, I only need to be concerned with myself, which is where God is working. Always go where God is working. If I try to look ahead that just produces needless worry. The Bible says to only trust today and do not worry about tomorrow. 

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34

What to Do in This Silence?

I should be still, not worry, and wait quietly. God is fighting for me, so I should only be silent. If I complain and grow angry this will only harm our relationship. 

What can I do? Accept God’s authority and don’t be dissatisfied. Keep confessing and repenting. Keep praying to God, especially worshiping. Keep putting yourself in the spirit and listening in case God speaks. Grow closer to God is this time and not closer to self and pride.   

“It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD God.” Lamentations 3:26

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” Psalm 37:7

“The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:14

“They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:3-4