How Should You Pray when Struggling with Faith?

I have had a very rough past year. I expected things to get better relatively soon after a layoff in January 2011, but instead, it seemed things got progressively worse. It’s triggered depression and has had me uneasy for a while.

When friends and family keep telling me to pray and give my problems to God, I know they mean well, but after constant disappointment, struggle, and frustration, I find it harder and harder to believe that things will get better just from praying and giving my problems to God. If that’s what I’ve been doing this whole time and nothing has changed for the better, how is it going to change if I do it today?

What I’m experiencing is a decrease in faith. I believe we’ve all experienced it at one point, even some of the prophets in the Bible. We’re not supposed to question God but there are times when we are so curious or feel so helpless, we ask Him why. Truthfully, it’s not up to us, and God doesn’t work on our time; He doesn’t have a watch.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13

I used to halfway joke that I thought God had me on mute. I felt like I was praying, praying, praying, and God didn’t hear me because he muted me a while back and forgot about it. I felt that way because it seemed as if my prayers would go unanswered.

I’m not the first person to feel that way, and I certainly won’t be the last.

In the Bible, Habakkuk felt the same way; he prayed to God about the violence going on in the Jewish society, and felt like God didn’t hear his prayers because the problem continued.

What I’m learning is that God is indeed listening, every time we pray. However, He also knows what’s best for us and the exact time we need Him. God isn’t going to bless me with something I don’t need, even if I ask for it. Maybe I’ve been asking for the wrong things. He’s not going to keep me suffering; He knows when the time is right. I have to trust that He knows what He’s doing. My faith has to increase, even in the darkest hour.

I’ve never wanted to pray to God to make me rich or anything shallow. I’ve never prayed for material blessings, as that’s not what He’s for. However, I have changed my prayers a little more. I ask for a peace of mind, to bring myself and my loved ones through the day safely, and the Serenity Prayer (serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference).

It’s a work in progress. I’m a work in progress. Just like we work on strengthening our body’s muscles, I’m working on strengthening my faith muscle.

Have you ever been in Briana’s position? Do you struggle with faith sometimes? What helps? Leave a comment below.