Are you living with the burden of an unanswered prayer? It can be difficult, feel foolish even, to live as a Christian when it feels like God is silent. Thankfully, there is hope in the heavy-hearted waiting. This course is all about choosing to trust Jesus, even when it feels like He isn’t answering your prayers.
Each Stay Present Masterclass involves engaging the whole self (heart, soul, mind, strength) in worship of and surrender to Christ.
This experience can take up to a month to complete. You may choose to apply each section (heart, soul, mind, strength) one week at a time, for a 4 week experience. Or you may choose to skip around, moving through the experience at a pace that works best for you.
Get ready to reflect in your heart, stir up your soul, engage your mind, and activate your strength as you discover how to stay present with the Lord in any circumstance.
Introduction to “Unanswered Prayers”
Heart: Read and Reflect
Reflecting in your heart* is all about making space to worship the Lord with your feelings.
As a believer, you should never “follow your heart.” (Jeremiah 17:9; Proverbs 3:5-7) However, the Bible encourages us to engage with our hearts/emotions in worship of Jesus (Mark 12:30, Romans 10:10). We cannot do that unless we acknowledge our feelings, then reflect and redirect them into adoration of Christ.
As you engage in the following content, notice which emotions rise to the surface. Take this time to see your heart response as it is, without judging or denying your emotion(s).
Lastly, linger on the “reflection” prompts at the end of this section. Allow the Holy Spirit to transform your feelings into worship and surrender to Christ, as only He can.
*These instructions will appear at the beginning of the “Heart” section of every Stay Present experience.
1. Scripture Reading
2. Devotional: Learning to Rejoice in the Unanswered Prayers
3. Reflection Prompts
4. Memorize
Memory Verse Download
Soul: Rest and Restore
This is your official permission to be still.
Restoring your soul* is a priority set by God for His children. The abundant life in Christ is one of peace and trust, not anxiety. It honors God greatly when we stop striving, acknowledging He is truly in control.
Receiving restoration is one of the profound ways we can love the Lord!
It is time to let go of control. Your soul was not meant to manage this world, much less your own life. Allow this section to woo your soul into sweet surrender and trust in Christ.
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Psalm 62:1
*These instructions will appear at the beginning of the “Soul” section of every Stay Present Course
Meditation Introduction: What Does It Mean to Walk, not Wallow?
Guided Meditation Audio
Prayer in His Presence
Mind: Engage and Enlighten
Engaging your mind* is how you align your thought-life with the truth of God’s Word.
Sometime we assume if we can just feel positively about God and check the box on Christian expectations (quiet time, church attendance, etc.), then our walk with Jesus is on track.
Although these are important aspects of your relationship with God, they fall short from the abundance Jesus has in mind for you.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
The Holy Spirit wants to transform your thinking. Because how you think about God makes a huge difference in how you feel, what you do, and whether you share the gift of hope you have!
To be honest, studying Scripture sometimes feels like mental cross-fit or weight training—there’s a fair amount of heavy lifting, and it’s important to keep your thoughts in alignment, or you might strain something.
Don’t let that intimidate you, though, because you have a robust community of believers cheering you on!
Now let’s study God’s Word together.
*These instructions will appear at the beginning of the “Mind” section of every Stay Present Course
What The Bible Says About People Who Pray, An Overview
1. Bible Study Part 1
2. Journal Part 1
3. Bible Study Part 2
4. Journal Part 2
Strength: Activate with Adoration
Activate your strength* is an opportunity to advance your connection with Christ by moving your body.
When we are struggling to engage in loving Jesus, one of the best things we can do is worship Him anyway. When we surrender our expectations and choose to trust Him, we find freedom and true joy despite our circumstances.
Sounds a lot easier said than done, right?
It can be difficult to mentally, emotionally, or even spiritually worship Jesus sometimes.
That is when I know I need to physically put my body into a posture of worship. The Bible shows us a few examples of God’s people would do this:
Kneeling: “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” Psalm 95:6
Laying Prostrate (face down): “And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God.” Revelation 7:11
Raising Hands: “So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands” Psalm 63:4
When I learned to move through different worshipful poses, I sensed something “unlocked” in my adoration of the Lord. For me, Moving Meditation (or Christ-centered yoga) serves as a tangible way to worship, even when the rest of me feels disengaged or discouraged.
Each pose is a reminder to keep choosing worship. To keep choosing Christ.
I hope these lessons are as life-changing for you as they have been for me!
*These instructions will appear at the beginning of the “Strength” section of every Stay Present Course
Posture for Surrender: High Crescent Lunge
High Crescent Lunge Tutorial
20 Minute Flow: Rejoicing through Unanswered Prayers
A Spotify Playlist
Neighbor: Shine and Share
In Luke 10:27, Jesus compels us to worship him with our whole selves. But that is not the end of the commandment. The final aspect is just as crucial: you are to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Staying present with the people God has given us is just as important as living mindfully of His presence with us each day. Click the final lesson for tips on how to share your hope in Christ, allowing Jesus to shine through you to encourage someone else.
Loving Your Neighbor Through Their Unanswered Prayers
