The Desert Experience: Desert Silence

Every Christian at some point in their Christian walk will have a desert experience. And one aspect of a desert experience is a silent time when God seems to be distant and prayers appear to be bouncing off the ceiling.

But often it is during a period of perceived silence that God is doing His greatest work. Friday saw the crucifixion of Christ and the death of the hopes and dreams of His followers. Saturday followed - a day of deafening silence. Not a peep from God, no word of encouragement, no sign that there was hope for the future. The disciples spent the day in a dull haze of pain and confusion, feeling abandoned, confused, rejected and fearful. But during that “time of silence” God was busy putting preparing for the greatest event in human history – the resurrection of His Son and the saving of mankind.

In a desert silence three “P’s” come into play - prayer, persistence, and priorities. Even though it may feel like your prayers are going into a void, they are not. God is still in heaven, He is still working, He is still listening. This is where persistence comes into play.

In two parables – the persistent widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8) – and the friend asking for bread at midnight (Luke 11:5-10) - Jesus explains the need for persistence in prayer. If a reluctant friend and an uncaring, ungodly judge will answer a plea, how much more so will God who loves and cares for His children. So, keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking until the answers come.     

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7-8).

The third “P” is priorities. Selfish, self-serving prayers will be ignored by God. A prayer for a bright red sports car is unlikely to be granted God. Prayers need to be aligned with God’s priorities.

So, keep walking, keep praying, keep knocking. A time of desert silences does not last forever and you will come out of it stronger and even closer to God. Sunday is coming!