Have you ever had one of those moments where your prayers slowly morph into complaints to God?

I was wide awake at 4 a.m., struggling to get any rest, so I started praying in hopes it would lull me back to sleep. I vented about how my life didn’t match my dreams, questioned why my family isn’t healed, why my anxiety is out of control, why I don’t feel peace at my church, and why people I care about refused to accept Jesus.

The list goes on and on. I’m sure your list looks a bit different than mine, but we’ve all been in that place before when nothing seems to be going right.

As I was praying I was reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6,

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,

and he will show you which path to take.”

I felt convicted. I’d been taught to trust in Jesus my entire life, but I was tired of hearing the word “wait.” I struggled to believe that something better was coming. After some tears, I prayed, “Okay, God. I’m going to trust You. I’m done with negative thoughts, I’ll meet new people, and try new things. I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and surrendering fully.”

But nothing changed—I didn’t feel different, heard, or like God was even listening.

And then God proved me wrong, here’s how:

The next day my best friend and I had plans to go to a concert that night to see our favorite pop artist. When we got our seats for the concert, we sat next to two other girls.

What started as small talk quickly turned into something deeper when one of the girls mentioned they’d visited a church while in town. Suddenly, we were sharing about our lives and the challenges we were facing. Out of nowhere, one of the girls asked if she could pray for us.

There we were—awkwardly standing in a circle, praying in the middle of a concert. I’m sure we got some odd looks, but we didn’t care.

When the girl started praying for me, she said, “I feel like you’re entering a new season with new people, and God is just waiting for you to trust Him.”

What?? There’s that word again- trust. A complete stranger, who offered to pray for me in the middle of a concert- said almost word for word what I’d been pouring out to God the night before.

Now, why did I tell you this story? Glad you asked.

Don’t stop praying! Do not give up, even when you feel like you don’t get an answer. Tell a friend or others so you can pray for answers together. If you’re praying for what feels like a hopeless situation– know that God is listening. I can hear the lyrics from “Way Maker:”

“Even when I don’t see it, You’re workingEven when I don’t feel it, You’re workingYou never stop, You never stop working”

So, if you’ve ever been in the same boat as me and feel like God isn’t listening to you or He’s ignoring you, here are three truths you can stand on:

1. God makes everything beautiful in its time.

“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” | Ecclesiastes 3:11

2. If God started a good work, He’s gonna finish it.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” | Philippians 1:6

3. He actually listens to you, and prays for you.

“In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” | Jeremiah 29:12-13

“Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” | Romans 8:34

Maybe God’s not gonna give you the answer you want. But just know- He can meet you anywhere. In your car, at a concert, in the middle of work or school, anywhere. Don’t stop praying, because He has every answer you’ll ever need.

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