When You Need Courage to Keep Praying

Newspaper headlines all over the world recently featured an amazing answer to prayer: my friend Andrew Brunson was freed from imprisonment in Turkey. My family cried tears of relief when this innocent pastor, persecuted for his faith, went free on October 12, 2018.

What no newspaper could document was the anguish of prayer that seemingly went unanswered for two years. My family and I served in Turkey for 16 years, and Andrew’s case struck a chord with us because we lived in the same city. We also knew the nightmare our friend was living could have just as easily happened to us.

We could hardly believe it when we first received news of Andrew’s arrest in October, 2016. We prayed each day, confident that God would free an innocent man. Yet the situation worsened rather than improving. Unbelievably, prosecutors formally accused this Christian pastor of terrorism, calling for 35 years in prison.

Our faith hit rock bottom. How could this be happening? Why was God allowing an innocent man to suffer injustice?

My husband and I kept praying, many days with tears. The more we prayed for him, the dearer Andrew became to us, and the more my heart broke for him.

Sometimes I felt afraid, but I also saw what courage looks like.

I saw courage in his wife Norine, who fought a bureaucratic battle to remain in Turkey and visit her husband weekly. She kept believing, praying, and calling the US government.

I saw courage in the face of the girl who testified before the United Nations on behalf of her father.

I saw courage in the tiny Turkish church that kept on praying. They did not give up, no matter how bad the situation looked. For two whole years we prayed in small groups, city-wide gatherings, and church meetings.

Sometimes courage looks like choosing faith in the face of unanswered prayer.

Friend, I don’t know what you are praying for. You may be praying for depression to lift or your marriage to heal. You might be interceding for a headstrong child or a suffering relative. If you haven’t yet received the answer you hope for, you may feel disheartened.

May I encourage you to stay brave and keep praying?

Perhaps right now you feel desperate or scared instead of courageous. Call on Jesus and ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit and give you courage.

Courage to Stand Your Ground Against the Enemy

Satan will do anything he can to make us doubt God’s love for us when we pray without seeing answers. He wants to make us think God isn’t there and doesn’t hear.

When the enemy comes against us with lies, we need to turn to truth from Scripture. The Scriptures say God’s steadfast love never ceases, He can do more than we ask or imagine, and the prayer of a righteous man avails much.

So, let’s keep the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, at our side.

Courage to Keep Believing

During the waiting, while we are living that gap between praying and receiving, it’s easy to doubt God will come through.

In the gospel of Mark, a desperate man must have wanted to give up many times because demons had tormented his son for years (Mark 9: 14-29).

Yet he brought his son to Jesus, and Jesus encouraged him with the words, “All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child chose belief and cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9: 23b,24) And in that moment, the man received what he must have spent years praying for.

Courage to Keep Praying

Just because God hasn’t answered our prayer yet doesn’t mean He won’t. For my friend Andrew Brunson, the answer came after two long years. Yet in His timing, God worked more quickly than we could have imagined. In 24 hours, our friend was freed from detention, transported out of Turkey, and welcomed at the White House.

Friend, you never know when your answer will come and what it will look like. God’s answer may be different than you expect. So even if you feel doubtful, take heart and keep praying.

Today, let’s pray one more time and echo the words, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

 

Are you facing the challenges of life on an empty tank? Need help renewing your relationship with God?

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Photo Credit: Melika