Sound Like a Broken Record?

I have an ongoing prayer request that makes me sound like a broken record.

Ever heard a vinyl record with a deep scratch? The phonograph needle gets stuck in the crack so the same lyric or tune gets repeated over and over and over.

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That’s me.

I’m a weary prayer warrior…losing patience…losing hope…for the people I’ve been praying for all these years.

O ye, woman, of little faith.

That’s how I feel sometimes when I open my dog-eared prayer journal, write the same prayer requests down, and remind God that according to His Word:

“He is more than able.”
“Nothing is impossible for Him.”

I KNOW God loves the people I’m praying for, and can use all things for good; to draw them to Christ and mold them into His likeness.

I KNOW the Lord can restore broken lives. For I’ve heard the testimony of Christians whose chains were broken and they were set free from sin, shame, bad habits, and despair.

I KNOW, but do I BELIEVE.

Or maybe, if I was a squeakier wheel, I’d get the grease.

I need to keep knocking like that old woman in the Bible who kept pestering the judge till he got out of bed and opened the door.

Only, I’ve been pestering God for a decade—pounding my fist, down on my knees begging Him—to no avail.

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Ever been there?

Been so discouraged by what you see in people’s lives, that you don’t know how to pray? Or maybe you’ve given up prayer.

After I watched the movie The War Room, I vowed to pray more, pray harder,and claim God’s promises for someone. A month went by and nada!

Things got worse.

I thought the power of my prayers would persuade the Lord to make everything alright, overnight. After all, it worked in that movie.

LIfting their problems to the Lord, trusting Him to act, submitting to the consequences of their actions. I won’t spoil the story ( I’d encourage you to watch it) but hey, I’m still waiting for my happy ending.

I’m waiting and weary, but I won’t stop praying because C.S. Lewis was right when he said,

“I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God, it changes me.”

Prayer changes me because…

  • Even though God doesn’t answer my prayers according to my expectations, I know there’s a bigger, eternal picture that I can’t see.
  • Even though, there’s a lack of evidence that God is working in someone’s life, I know He will complete the work He began in them, and me.
  • Even though I’m bewildered, I know God loves His children with an everlasting love. He’s called us to pray for one another. Not become their god.

Therefore, I can praise God and trust Him….

Even in this—seemingly endless prayer request.

 

Photos by: Pixabay

Author: Karen Foster

I'd like to say I've changed, but after decades of living, I still have the same four passions. My relationship with Jesus, spending time with family, attending live theater, and writing devotions & first-person stories about a loving, faithful God who reveals Himself in our every day circumstances.

12 thoughts on “Sound Like a Broken Record?”

  1. I think sometimes I pray to try and change God’s mind, or actions, or heart. And when I fail, I get discouraged and think “prayer doesn’t always work” or “He doesn’t care.” But I “KNOW” that isn’t true and so I press on, counting on His faithfulness to carry me, answer prayer, and reward my faith–puny as it often is. We may not see the reward now, but we WILL see it. Thanks for sharing real life. 🙂

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  2. Sometimes God just amazes me when He continues to keep us connected over the years as well as the many miles that separate us! This past week I was sharing my heart with God about the same frustration over the “decades” of prayers for close ones… feeling like its one step forward and then two steps back. I’m so thankful God understands and still loves me AND sends me encouragement from my precious friend! We must talk soon mon ami 🙂

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    1. Cathy, you’re right about the analogy of one step forward and two steps back. Reminds me of the kid’s game Chutes and Ladders. I’ve often described my Christian walk the same way!
      Je t’aime!

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  3. Thanks for beautifully describing the frustration we all feel when praying for someone for years. I prayed for my mom for over 30 years. It wasn’t that God wasn’t working, or able to work, but God won’t violate anyone’s free will, and my mom wasn’t open. Until, that is, she had a crisis and finally realized she needed God. Then God quickly answered and saved her. We can’t see the subtle shifts God is making in other’s hearts, preparing them for the time when they are ready. So we just keep praying and trusting. Over and over again.

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  4. “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God, it changes me.” I LOVE this quote from a former atheist no less. So beautiful. Is it from a book of his? Miss you Karen! xxooo

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    1. Love hearing from you, Mary. Thought of you today when I walked by your “old” house. 🙂 As for the quote, although it popped up as a quote from Lewis when I researched it earlier (you’ll find Pins with this quote by him), further investigation says he never said it. The character C.S.Lewis (played by Anthony Hopkins) says this in the movie Shadowlands. WOW! Imagine being credited for a quote that you never said. There’s Hollywood for you and the internet. HA
      I hope this reality check doesn’t take away from the intention of my blog. For whether the “real” Lewis said this or not, I KNOW that I’m changed when I pray.

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  6. Karen, I so relate to this. I prayed 12 years for my husband and he finally made the altar call. And I’ve been praying for others for decades. God’s timing may not be ours, but His timing is always perfect. I pray my prayers will be answered in my lifetime. Is that too much to ask, Lord? 😉

    Blessings to you.

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    1. Thank you Chrissy for sharing. I know I’m not alone, but it would help if we had a carrot from the Lord to keep us going. HA That’s where it helps to write down all the prayers that are answered, and the blessings God gives us without our asking. 🙂

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