Who Are You Fighting for in Prayer When No One Sees?

My grandma is a prayer warrior.

I grew up watching her faithfully intercede for my grandpa’s salvation. My grandpa was the sweetest, most gentle man, kind to everyone he met, yet he did not know Jesus as his Savior.

For most of my childhood, I watched my grandma attend church services alone. She never missed a Sunday and always carried a joyful, victorious spirit. I’m sure the enemy tried to discourage her, whispering that my grandpa would never surrender his life to Christ, but she didn’t give up.

Thank God that after 30 years of prayer, my Grandpa accepted Jesus into his heart and served him faithfully for the rest of his life.

Her perseverance in prayer has deeply shaped my life. It has grounded me and strengthened my resolve to continue interceding, even when I don’t see the results I’m hoping for.

Champions of Faith

We can learn from many Christians who have faithfully modeled prayer and intercession. I love hearing stories of men and women who have persevered in prayer, even in the face of overwhelming and seemingly insurmountable circumstances.

John Wesley’s journal bears witness to a life anchored in prayer, where he repeatedly and humbly noted that he “found immediate relief in prayer,” revealing a heart continually turned toward God. 1

Susanna Wesley’s prayer life was deeply woven into her daily responsibilities as a mother. She is remembered for praying intentionally for her children and shaping her home around steady devotion to God, believing that faith was not confined to church but lived out in every part of life. 2

We can think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor during the Nazi regime, when Jews were being persecuted and killed. He remained unwavering in his faith and prayer life, even when it ultimately cost him his life. 3

Paul writes in Colossians 4:13, referring to Epaphras, “ For I testify about him that he works hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.” According to scripture, we learn that Epaphras was willing to wrestle in prayer. He was willing to keep interceding, even when it wasn’t easy.

Importance of Prayer According to Scripture

Scripture makes it clear that prayer is not meant to be occasional, but a continual posture of the heart.

We are told to:

• “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
• “And in every situation, to bring our requests to God with thanksgiving” (Philippians 4:6).
• Even Jesus modeled this for us, “Yet he often withdrew to deserted places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).
• And we are reminded that “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

Prayer draws us into peace, aligning our hearts with God’s will, and strengthening us to remain faithful in every season.

We Rely on Christ

I don’t know about you, but I used to think prayer needed to look a certain way. I recall a time that I attended a weekly prayer meeting where no one said a single word. Yes, it felt strange and awkward, especially at first. Honestly? I prefer when people pray out loud.

I learned a lot throughout that experience. I learned that prayer is about the posture of the heart and making our requests known to him, and words are just one of the ways to accomplish that.

So often, I have found praying silently in my spirit is much more helpful than wearing myself out with speech. In times of sorrow and grief, speaking the Name of Jesus is more than enough words for that moment. God sees the posture of our hearts.

There have been many times when prayer has required real discomfort—like the Lord waking me at 3 a.m. to intercede for someone while my body longs for sleep and my flesh resists.

Being faithful in prayer requires constant reliance on Christ’s strength.

In Every Season

If you are in a busy season, pray throughout your day. Pray on your way to and from work.

Busy Mama? Pray while folding the laundry. When the babies are napping, pray and rest if you need to rest.

Retired? Time constraints may not be an issue for you, but pray continuously. Your daily time freedom may allow you the luxury of spending countless hours in prayer, and that is beautiful.

No matter the season you find yourself in, make prayer your primary focus. You will see the fruit of your prayers—if not in your lifetime, then in the next generation’s.

God sees and hears your prayers and will answer.

1 Wesley, Journal of John Wesley.
2 Charles Wallace, Susanna Wesley: The Complete Writings (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997).
3 Eric Metaxas, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2010).