Feel like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling?  Like nobody's listening?  You are NOT alone.  On this episode of The Session, we talk through what to do, what that feels like. And please listen for a special request we have during the episode too!  We are asking for your input on future episodes!

The Session: When God Appears Silent-Recognize That Silence Can Be Intimate

Psalm 13:1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?”

Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

When We Don’t Feel Ready To Listen

He wants to talk to us about something, but we aren't ready. We have to go through refining trials to make us ready to listen. God is sometimes silent because He knows we aren't willing to obey. He is always ready to show us His will, but He shows His will only to those who really want to do it

John 7:17-18

Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth;

Finally, sometimes God is silent that He might test us--to teach us the importance of silence, the importance of waiting on Him. Waiting helps remind us of God's sovereignty

5 Things to Do When God Seems Silent, by Jessica Wicks

1. Examine Your Life

Begin by asking yourself, Is there any unconfessed sin in my life? Make sure nothing is blocking you from being able to hear God’s voice.

Psalm 66:18 says, “If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened” (New Living Translation). This requires looking deeply at our lives.

Ask yourself: Is there anything (or anyone) I love more than God? 

2. Accept God’s Authority

Recognize that God can be silent. There is no obligation for God to answer you, inform you or let you know anything.

“Job chose to let God be God. “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” he asked (Job 2:10, NLT).

3. Listen to What God Is Saying

Although God may seem silent regarding a specific request or petition, remember that He is in a constant state of communication with us.

In fact, it is possible that you already have an answer from God. The Bible is full of specific answers about what is right and wrong, as well as information about God’s character and His intention for us as His children and His followers.

So don’t forget to dig into God’s Word — His written communication to us — to find out what He has to say about the problems you are facing or the questions you are asking.  As you read the Bible, ask God to speak to you through the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of you.

4. Recognize That Silence Can Be Intimate - Silence can also be a sign of God’s trust in you.

In love, silence can be a sign of intimacy.

For Job, God’s silence was also a result of the depth of their relationship. When Satan approached God, God said, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” (Job 1:8, ESV). God chose Job because He trusted him.

5. Keep Talking to God

Just because God seems silent doesn’t mean you should doubt Him or stop praying.

God’s silence isn’t a license for us to turn our backs on Him. Instead, it’s an invit

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.