When God Feels Far
Silence is not absence.
On the seasons where prayer feels like talking to a ceiling.
The big idea
A father in the room is still a father when he is not speaking.
Opening scripture
“Where could I go from your Spirit? Where could I run from your presence?”
What does “When God Feels Far” walk through?
Where Could I Go?
Psalms 139:7 · KJV
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
In plain English
Where could I go from your Spirit? Where could I run from your presence?
Presence Is Not A Feeling
The psalm makes presence a fact of geography, not of mood. There is nowhere outside it — including the room where you feel nothing.
A Still Small Voice
1 Kings 19:12 · KJV
And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
In plain English
After the earthquake came fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, a still small voice.
“God's quietest voice arrived after the loudest events. Elijah nearly missed it.”
How Long?
Psalms 13:1 · KJV
How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
In plain English
How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
Say So
The psalms model complaining directly to God rather than about him. That is not a lack of reverence. It is intimacy.
Not One Failed
Joshua 21:45 · KJV
There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
In plain English
Not one of the good promises the Lord had made failed. Every one came true.
Pray
God, I cannot hear you. I am still talking. Amen.
Write it down
What do you want to say to God about the silence?
Still there
Keep speaking into it.
Which passages does this journey use?
4 passages, drawn from Psalms 139:7, 1 Kings 19:12, Psalms 13:1, Joshua 21:45. Every verse appears here in the King James text with a plain-English line beside it, so you can read it without a commentary open. Allow about 7 minutes for the whole thing, or 8 short sittings.
- Psalms 139:7
- 1 Kings 19:12
- Psalms 13:1
- Joshua 21:45
Read any of these in full on the complete KJV, or look the wording up independently at Blue Letter Bible.
More in Hard Questions
All Hard Questions →Is Any Of This True?
Taking the question seriously.
Why Does God Allow Suffering?
The oldest question, honestly.
When Christians Hurt You
Separating Jesus from the people who misrepresent him.
Believing Without Feeling
When faith is a decision, not a mood.
Deconstruction And Rebuilding
Taking it apart without losing it.
Faith And Doubt Together
Both, in the same person.