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The Power of Prayer When God Says No & Founding of PRESS

Writer's picture: Taquoya PorterTaquoya Porter

Many of you may already know bits and pieces of my story, especially if you’ve read my book It’s Too Quiet: A Book About Prayer (check it out at Press2Pray.com or on Amazon if you haven’t already!). But for those of you who haven’t heard, here’s a little backstory to help you understand how the PRESS Movement was birthed—and how it’s all tied to God's "no."


I’ve been pregnant five times and, tragically, I’ve lost two babies due to miscarriage. The second loss, in particular, was devastating. I remember sitting on the edge of my bed, feeling as if I were spiraling into an abyss of sadness. I was drowning in sorrow. My family had gone to church, and I just couldn’t bring myself to join them. I knew what was happening in my body, and I didn’t know how to pray, how to understand, or even how to articulate the overwhelming grief I was feeling.


It’s hard to explain to anyone who hasn’t been through it, but I knew deep down—there was death inside me. There was a loss I couldn’t put into words. I prayed desperately, asking God to let this not happen. I didn’t want to lose another child. But, in the midst of my cries, I heard nothing. Silence. My prayers felt like they were hitting a wall.

I remember singing softly to myself:


“Don't let heaven be silent today,

But God, please hear me as I pray.

I'm calling on you now,

Please make a way somehow.

But don't let heaven be silent today.”


Even in the silence, I felt the weight of God's "no." It wasn’t the answer I wanted, but it was the answer I got. That "no" broke my heart in ways I couldn’t have imagined at the time. And it wasn’t just the miscarriage I was grieving—it was the silence from God, too. It felt like I was carrying a burden that nobody else could understand.


Surviving, Not Conquering

As I dealt with the aftermath, I went through the motions. I kept up with daily responsibilities, but inside, I was numb. I felt like I was just surviving. I wasn’t thriving. I wasn’t living in victory. But here’s the thing: God never called us to just survive. He called us to conquer. We’re not meant to stay stuck in a place of survival. We’re meant to push through to victory, even when the journey is painful.


That’s where I found myself stuck. Coping, but not healing. Trying to survive, but not pressing into the fullness of what God had for me. And, believe me, sometimes it’s hard to take that first step toward healing when you're in the thick of the pain.


The Breakthrough Moment: God Told Me to Press

I didn’t realize it at the time, but that brokenness was exactly where God needed me to be. After some time, I found myself at a retreat, surrounded by my leadership team at church. I was exhausted—physically, emotionally, spiritually—and I told God, "I have nothing. I can't do this. I don't know how to move forward." I had 48 hours to plan upcoming activities, and I was feeling completely empty.


In that moment, God spoke to me clearly: "Press. Prayer reaches every single situation."


In an instant, He gave me the plan I needed. I tried to write as quickly as it came to me, but it was like God put together six months of planning in under five minutes. I was so excited by the response of God. Not only did He show me how to press through the pain, but He also showed me how my prayer could reach anything. I couldn’t see it at that time, but that moment of clarity set everything in motion. Over the next 12 years, God used that word "press" to guide me and to grow a movement—a community of people pressing into prayer and seeing God move in their lives.


God Works All Things Together for Good

Young people worshipping from multiple PRESS Clubs from various schools on the UIndy campus.
Young people worshipping from multiple PRESS Clubs from various schools on the UIndy campus.

Fast forward to a worship service with our PRESS Clubs, groups of young people at different schools came together to pray and seek God. One young man came up to me and said, "How does it feel to know that all of this started with you?" I thought back to those dark moments of pain—the moments when I couldn’t see any way out—and realized just how far God had brought me. What started with heartbreak had turned into a beautiful movement, touching lives across different campuses and communities.


It reminded me of a powerful scripture from Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”


What I’ve learned through this journey is that prayer isn’t just about asking God to change our circumstances, but when He doesn't change it, He can still reach you. Prayer is about aligning our hearts with His will. It's a meeting place and place of solace. We learn about trusting Him to guide us through the valley, knowing that He can—and will—bring something good out of even the most painful situations.


Pressing Into the Power of Prayer

As we continue this journey together, I want you to remember one thing: prayer reaches every single situation. Whether you're in the middle of a crisis or celebrating a victory, God can reach you when you pray.. The goal of this blog isn’t to teach you how to pray like me—my hope is that you’ll learn the power of prayer in your own life. There's no way I can teach you the words that come from your heart. I want you to go to God yourself, with your heart, your struggles, your victories, and your questions.


Because here’s the truth: You can’t give up. You have to press.

Taquoya Porter preaches and leads in prayer
Taquoya Porter praying and speaking on faith and family. To watch this message, click above.

Prayer can move mountains. Prayer can heal hearts. Prayer can change your life.

So, if you’re ready to press with me, to dive into the Word and discover how prayer can transform every part of your journey, then join this movement. Share this blog with others, and let's press into God's presence together.


Remember, when you’re silent, your voice is missing from God’s ears. Don’t let your voice go unheard. Raise it in prayer, and watch what God can do.


Want to hear more? Catch the podcast on the PRESS Backstory.




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