Honest Prayers

How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? (Habakkuk 1:2)

In the book of Habakkuk, we see that the prophet Habakkuk realizes his people are in deep trouble. They disregarded God’s word. They disobeyed God’s law. He has been praying for God to do something, but instead of his prayer becoming a solution, it had become a problem. He had been praying to God for a long time. Week after week, month after month, year after year, he had been crying out to God. His frustration was now at Code Red. In fact, this is what makes Habakkuk a different kind of prophet from every other prophet in the Old Testament.

Normally, a prophet confronts his people, but Habakkuk confronts God. He is contending with God. He is more upset with God’s indifference than he is with his people’s iniquity. It is almost as if he basically says to God, “I know you aren’t dead, but are you deaf?”

Have you ever had the experience of praying about something and praying about it hard and long? Praying about it with all the faith that you could muster? Thinking it was a no-brainer for God to hear you and to answer you and to do what you wanted, and you got no response? Then, you know exactly what Habakkuk was going through.

So follow Habakkuk’s example if you are frustrated with God, and tell Him what’s bothering you. Because guess what? He knows you are anyway. Are you questioning God? Go ahead and question him. He knows what you are asking any way. God can handle your questions, your frustrations, and your doubts, and He wants the opportunity to do so when you contend with Him.

Dear Father, thank you for this reminder that you know what’s on my heart even before I tell you. Give me the faith and the boldness to continue coming to you in prayer, even when I’m left waiting. Help me not to doubt that you hear me, but rather be confident that you’re listening and working in ways I can’t see. In Jesus’ name, amen.