What's the Use?

I had a conversation this week with someone that made me really begin to think about prayer. The person said, "James, I pray and pray but nothing happens. What's the use?" Without even thinking something popped out of my mouth that I heard years ago. I said, "Because an unshakable faith comes from having your faith shaken." It was good for me to hear that for myself. Man, sometimes, I have to admit, I wonder the same wonders my people in the pew wonder. Believe me, I don't preach or teach from an ivory tower. My crises of faith may not last as long as they used to, but I have moments when I just want God to give me a sign...anything! A crack of thunder, make a vase fall off the table, find a $100 bill on the sidewalk...just give a sign you are there, God! But seriously, I do keep praying--not always with my eyes closed and almost always, when I am just about to say, "what's the use?" My shaken faith begins to settle and peace comes calling. Sometimes I get an answer, sometimes I don't. But the alternative is to walk away from from the very One who knows every fiber of my being...and loves me anyway. If you've read this far then you needed this today. Do you remember Job? Job said, “Oh that I know where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!" (Job 23:3). I can surely relate to Job. There have been times in my life when everything was going wrong, and I was greatly discouraged, and wondered why God wasn't answering my prayers. Job experienced the same drought in his prayer life. It is easy to become discouraged and stop praying, saying “What's the use of praying”; but I have a quote written in the front of my journal and this is what it says:
“The thing that will reveal your faith is praying when no answer comes." Remember, no matter your circumstances, you are blessed and highly favored.