Grace That Sets Us Free

DAY SEVEN

When Nothing Seems To Change

Sometimes we pray, we wait and we hope, yet nothing seems to change. The knot is still there. The conversation has not happened. The relationship is still difficult. The answer has not come.

Waiting can be its own kind of suffering, especially when we do not know how long it will last. Mary knew what it was to remain present in the midst of suffering without knowing what would come next. At the foot of the Cross, she stayed beside Jesus. She could not change what was happening, but she did not walk away.

When our prayers seem unanswered and our circumstances remain unchanged, we can follow Mary’s example and remain close to Jesus. We may not know what he is doing, or when things will change, but we can choose to stay. When nothing seems to change, stay.

IT IS GOOD THAT ONE SHOULD WAIT QUIETLY FOR THE SALVATION OF THE LORD.
LAMENTATIONS 3:26

Waiting can feel like doing nothing, but Christian hope is not passive. Sometimes faithfulness means simply remaining with God and trusting that he is at work, even when we cannot yet see how.

YOUR INVITATION

Bring your knot to Jesus again today. This time, don’t ask him to change anything. Simply sit with him for a few minutes.

You might say: Jesus, I don’t know what you’re doing, but I am here.

Allow yourself to stay with him, even if you feel restless, disappointed or uncertain. You don’t need to manufacture hope. Just remain.

PRAYING WITH MARY

Mary, stay beside me when nothing seems to change. When I am tired of waiting or tempted to give up, help me remain close to Jesus. You stood at the Cross when you could not change what was happening. Teach me that sometimes faith means simply staying, trusting that God has not abandoned me.

Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

—

Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.