Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
8 8 2025
When Heaven Seems Silent: Rethinking Fellowship and Prayer
“All over the world, the deeper conviction becomes obvious that the low state of the spiritual life of Christians is due to the fact that they do not realize that the aim and object of conversion is to bring the soul, even here on earth, to a daily fellowship with the Father in heaven.”
— Andrew Murray
I spoke with a dear friend who shared his son-in-law, said he believes in God, but is clearly not walking in a relationship with Christ. Like so many Christians who think they are religious enough or
feel secure in their salvation.
Does that reading give you pause?
Does it challenge what many perceive to be their right to heaven…simply because they once walked to an altar, said the sinner’s prayer, and were told they now had a guaranteed place in eternity?
Murray’s challenge is not an assault on grace. It is a rescue from complacency.
We are often discouraged by what seems like unanswered prayer. But what if the real issue isn’t God’s silence…but our distance?
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” — James 4:8
Murray wrote, “The young believer must understand that he has no power of his own to maintain his spiritual life. No, he needs each day to receive new grace from heaven through intercourse with the Lord Jesus.” Ouch! Does that rattle you just a bit?
This echoes Jesus’ own words: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5
Many of us seek a vibrant, victorious Christian life while neglecting the very source of life Himself.
Prayer is not a mere formality that we mutter as we rush out the door, or that we pray by a bedside, and practically forget about the need afterwards. No… It is where strength is exchanged (Isaiah 40:31), where hearts are aligned (Psalm 37:4), and where burdens are released (1 Peter 5:7). Murray warns against “a hasty prayer or a superficial reading of a few verses.” These are not enough to fuel a life that withstands the trials and temptations of each day. So what fuel are we running on, or have we been running on fumes but never stopped to read the gauges?
“Very early in the morning… Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” — Mark 1:35
Intentional Solitude
If even the Son of God needed “intentional solitude” to be with the Father, how much more do we? Can you recall your last spiritual retreat or marriage seminar and how rewarding it was as you pressed into the deeper waters of God’s wisdom and direction?
It may feel like heaven is silent—but could it be that heaven is waiting?
Waiting for us to slow down to the Speed of Jesus, to acknowledge our deep need, and to come not just with requests, but with surrender and expectation.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
We were not saved to sit. We were saved to walk…daily…with the Father, by the power of the Spirit, through the Son. Conversion is the doorway, not the destination. “It is not by might, not by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord.” Zech 4:6
Let’s respond… not with guilt, but with hunger, seeking his presence.
Let your unanswered prayers become invitations. Let your dry seasons become a deeper well. Let today be the day you return—not just to ask, but to abide.
I will be hosting an Online Discovering Jesus 5-week class starting on Tuesday nights
Sept. 2nd, at 7pm ONLINE for people of all ages. Please send me a note if you would like to attend or know someone who would like to grow their faith. If you have a big screen at home, you can create a time to invite friends or neighbors who would like to join you in a Home Group for 5 weeks. Let’s get creative.
If you’d like to share this with someone, here’s the signup link:
http://eepurl.com/gKlklD To browse the complete devotional library, visit:
https://fearlesslycourageous.com
Matt West Don’t Stop Praying
