“The greatest tragedies in life are the prayers that go unanswered because they go unasked.” — Mark Batterson
We all carry burdens. Some are so heavy they weigh down our hearts before our feet hit the floor in the morning. Others are quiet aches, tucked away where no one sees them. And yet, strangely, one of the easiest things for us to do—the very thing Jesus invites us into again and again—is the thing we often avoid. We simply don’t ask.
Think about that. God, the King of the universe, bends His ear toward us, and yet we sometimes live as if He’s too busy, too disinterested, or too unwilling to care. We rehearse excuses: “He already knows.” “It’s not spiritual enough.” “He’s probably tired of hearing from me.”
But the truth is, silence doesn’t honor God. Silence robs us of grace.
Bartimaeus Didn’t Stay Silent
In Mark 10, Bartimaeus was blind, poor, and overlooked by the crowd. He had every reason to keep quiet when Jesus walked by. But instead, he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
The crowd told him to hush. But he shouted louder. His desperation turned into boldness. And Jesus stopped. Did you catch that? The prayers of a blind beggar stopped the Lord of heaven and earth in His tracks.
How many times have we missed moments like that because we swallowed our cries instead of raising them?
My Own Silence
I remember seasons where I convinced myself that not praying was somehow noble—like I was being “content” by carrying the weight on my own. But really, I was just doubting God’s care. It wasn’t humility. It was unbelief.
And every time I’ve finally dared to ask—specifically, persistently, sometimes even desperately—I’ve been met by grace. Not always in the way I imagined, but always in a way that reminded me that God’s heart is never closed to His children.
Why Don’t We Ask?
At the core, we don’t ask because we forget who God is. We forget He is Father. We forget He is generous. We forget He already poured out His Son for us—so why would He withhold anything else we truly need?
Silence is not neutral. Silence is costly. The unanswered prayers of our lives are often not the ones God refused, but the ones we never dared to utter.
A Gentle Call
So here’s the question: What are you carrying in silence today? A fractured marriage? A prodigal child? A hidden fear about the future? A longing you’ve buried because hope feels too risky?
Don’t let unasked prayers become the tragedy of your story. God is not put off by your weakness. He’s not impatient with your fumbling words. He is, right now, inviting you to come.
Ask. Cry out. Whisper if that’s all you can do. But don’t stay silent.
Reflection for the Heart
- Where have you been quiet when God is calling you to speak?
- What specific request will you bring to Him today that you’ve avoided?
Today’s Hope
Your Father’s ears are always open, His heart always inclined, His hands never empty. Don’t miss grace by staying silent. Pray.