The Power of Prayer: Ask God Again

Welcome to another stop of The Press Blog journey, where we believe wholeheartedly that prayer reaches every single situation. And it’s not just a nice idea — it's a truth we live by. We know that with God, all things are possible, and when we connect with Him, He gives us insight, direction, and answers. But ultimately, the decisions are His. And sometimes, those decisions involve hearing "no."

Today, I’m excited to invite you on a prayer journey with me. This journey isn’t just about learning how to pray — it’s about growing in our understanding of God, His will, and how He responds when we call on Him. We’re not here to master prayer; we’re here to pursue God. And in this pursuit, we’ll study what makes God respond — what makes Him say yes, and what makes Him say no. And when He does say no, how do we handle it?

We’re going to dive into the Scriptures, because they serve as a blueprint — a pattern for us. The Bible reveals who God is and how He interacts with His people. It shows us His unchanging nature and His eternal faithfulness. So, let’s start by looking at the first recorded prayer in the Bible, found in Genesis 15, and learn from the life of Abraham.

Abraham’s Prayer: A Model of Faith and Persistence

In Genesis 15, we find Abram — later known as Abraham — in a moment of doubt and need. God had already made an incredible promise to him in Genesis 12: that He would make Abram a great nation. Yet, many years had passed, and the promise seemed unfulfilled. Abram was still childless, and his servant Eliezer of Damascus was in line to inherit everything he owned.

In the middle of this, God appears to Abram in a vision and says, “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” But Abram, in his humanity, had questions. He looked at his circumstances, and he prayed to God: “Lord, what will You give me, seeing that I go childless? The one who will inherit my estate is not of my bloodline.”

What I love about this prayer is that Abram was honest with God. He wasn’t pretending to be okay or acting like he didn’t have doubts. He was in a place of uncertainty, and he went straight to the Lord with his questions. And God’s response? “This man will not be your heir, but a son from your own body will be your heir.” God reassured Abram of His promise and even expanded it, saying that Abram’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky.

But what stands out to me most about this passage is what happens next. In verse 6, it says, “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” Despite his doubts, Abram chose to believe God. He didn't let the weight of his circumstances pull him away from what God had promised. And God didn’t hold his questions against him. In fact, God affirmed his faith and counted it as righteousness.

Older woman raising her hand in prayer and worship during an outdoor service.

It’s Okay to Ask Again

What we learn from Abram's prayer is that it’s okay to ask God for reassurance when we’re struggling to see how His promises will come to pass. It’s okay to cry out, “Lord, are you still going to do what You said You would do?” Sometimes, we need to hear God’s promises again, especially when our current reality seems far from what God has spoken over us.

I think this is one of the most comforting truths about our walk with God. When we struggle to believe, or when we question, He doesn’t abandon us. He understands our human frailty and meets us where we are. Even in Abram’s doubt, God was faithful to reaffirm His word and remind Abram of His plans.

I want to encourage you today — if you're wrestling with your faith, don't run from God. Don’t give up just because your reality doesn’t match your expectations or His promises. Go back to the source of your faith, just like Abram did. Ask God for help, and trust that He will respond in His timing and in His way.

Peter Walking on Water: A Lesson in Focus

There’s another story in the New Testament that speaks to the same truth. In Matthew 14, Peter walks on water. But when he sees the wind and the waves, he begins to sink. I find it fascinating that nothing about the storm changed. The winds and waves were already there when Peter stepped out of the boat. But as long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on the water. The moment he focused on the storm, he began to sink.

This story is a powerful reminder that when we find ourselves in the middle of a faith fight — when our circumstances seem to be overwhelming — we need to keep our focus on Jesus, not on the storm. Reality may be difficult, but God’s word and His power are unshaken by our distractions. Like Peter, our proximity to the storm may change, but our proximity to Jesus can also grow stronger in the midst of it.

The Power of Prayer: God Will Do What He Said He Will Do

When we’re praying and waiting on God, it’s important to remember that God’s promises are not dependent on our ability to understand them or see them come to pass. They’re dependent on God’s power and faithfulness. His word is His bond. He is His own evidence. When God speaks, His word stands, regardless of our circumstances.

If you’re in a place where you’re waiting for God to fulfill His promises, but your reality doesn’t yet reflect that promise, keep holding on. It’s okay to go to God again and say, “Lord, I need You to speak to me again. I need You to show me that what You’ve said will come to pass.” He will not turn you away. He will meet you where you are and reaffirm His word.

Your Challenge: Press Into Prayer

As we end this blog, I want to challenge you: take a moment today to pray with honesty. Go to God with your questions, with your doubts, and with your requests. He is waiting for you. And don’t forget — prayer really does reach every single situation. Whatever you’re going through, press into prayer.

Remember, you don’t have to have all the answers, and you don’t have to have it all figured out. Just go to the source. Stay in faith. And keep pressing, because God will do what He said He will do.

Until next time, keep pressing into prayer and follow our podcast to hear more on this passage!