Youth Summer Devotional 2
What do you do when it feels like God is silent?

Josh Gaudreau • Associate Pastor
July 16, 2026

2 Minute Read

Today’s Youth Summer Reading plan reading is John 10, but for the devotional I want to talk about John 11 and the death of Lazarus.

From Martha and Mary’s perspectives, that is exactly what happened – God was silent. They had sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick, yet Jesus did not go to them immediately but waited two days. Jesus knew what would happen and why He was waiting, but for Mary and Martha it must have seemed like Jesus didn’t care. And then, when Jesus did arrive, Lazarus was already dead.

When we pray, especially if they’re urgent prayers, and we don’t see God answering, it can feel like God doesn’t care sometimes. Why is He silent? Why isn’t He doing anything?


When Martha meets Jesus, she frankly complains to Him – “If you had been here, my brother would not have died” (v. 21). Throughout the Psalms we read complaints to God quite often: “Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Ps. 10:1), and Psalm 22 is probably the most famous one.

Do you ever complain to God in prayer? It might feel blasphemous or wrong to do so, but God is big enough to handle it. Jesus doesn’t rebuke Martha for complaining, and when she misunderstands Him He is patient with her. And that’s how God is with us too. Patient and understanding. He knows our weaknesses. How do you think complaining to God would change the way you pray?

Of course, when you read the chapter, you see that Martha doesn’t just complain. She also has trust in Jesus’ power: “But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask” (v. 22). Most of the Psalms end this way too, in a declaration of trust in God’s sovereignty.

So, don’t hesitate to complain in your prayers – God knows what you’re unhappy about already, we don't have to hide from Him! But trust that He knows what He’s doing, and if He waits to answer us, or answers in a way we didn’t ask for, that it’s for our best.

May He continue to be with us all,

Josh

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