When you've prayed your hardest and the answer is still no, where does joy come from?

This week I sat down with Kristy Graham, host of On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse, for an honest conversation about prayer in the hardest places. Kristy has walked with disaster survivors who lost everything and still praised God, with relief teams who run toward danger when everyone else runs away, and with believers in persecuted countries who pray not for protection but for boldness. Through all of it, she keeps landing on one truth: the joy is in His presence, not in the answer.

We talk about surrender, what it means to pray "not my will but yours" and mean it, and how to keep praying with confidence even when God's answer isn't the one you wanted. I shared a bit of my own story with my daughter Taylor, and Kristy shared hers, and together we landed on the same place so many of us need to be reminded of: God is far more interested in being the answer to our prayers than simply answering them.

You'll discover:
Why joy in suffering comes from God's presence rather than changed circumstances
How to pray honestly and still surrender the outcome to God
What persecuted believers pray for instead of protection, and why it matters
The difference between praying for your circumstances to change and letting God change your heart
Why serving others in your own pain can lift the weight you're carrying

If you're in a season where your prayers feel unanswered, this conversation is a reminder that you are seen by a loving God who understands your pain and meets you in it.

Resources Mentioned:
On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse podcast: ontheground.samaritanspurse.org
Learn more about Samaritan's Purse: samaritanspurse.org

When you've prayed your hardest and the answer is still no, where does joy come from?
This week I sat down with Kristy Graham, host of On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse, for an honest conversation about prayer in the hardest places. Kristy has walked with disaster survivors who lost everything and still praised God, with relief teams who run toward danger when everyone else runs away, and with believers in persecuted countries who pray not for protection but for boldness. Through all of it, she keeps landing on one truth: the joy is in His presence, not in the answer.
We talk about surrender, what it means to pray "not my will but yours" and mean it, and how to keep praying with confidence even when God's answer isn't the one you wanted. I shared a bit of my own story with my daughter Taylor, and Kristy shared hers, and together we landed on the same place so many of us need to be reminded of: God is far more interested in being the answer to our prayers than simply answering them.
You'll discover:
<ul>
<li>Why joy in suffering comes from God's presence rather than changed circumstances</li>
<li>How to pray honestly and still surrender the outcome to God</li>
<li>What persecuted believers pray for instead of protection, and why it matters</li>
<li>The difference between praying for your circumstances to change and letting God change your heart</li>
<li>Why serving others in your own pain can lift the weight you're carrying</li>
</ul>
If you're in a season where your prayers feel unanswered, this conversation is a reminder that you are seen by a loving God who understands your pain and meets you in it.
Resources Mentioned:
<ul>
<li>On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse podcast: <a href="https://ontheground.samaritanspurse.org/home">ontheground.samaritanspurse.org</a></li>
<li>Learn more about Samaritan's Purse: <a href="https://samaritanspurse.org/">samaritanspurse.org</a></li>
</ul>

How do I pray during challenging times? How can I grow closer to God despite life's hardships? How can I find peace and purpose when life feels overwhelming and stressful?

Welcome to the Untangling Prayer with Rachel Wojo podcast, a sanctuary where we navigate the storms of life together, uncovering clarity and calm through faith, prayer, and practical wisdom.

Each week, author Rachel Wojo brings heartfelt conversations and insightful advice on living a life of peace and purpose. We dive deep into prayer, managing stress, overcoming anxiety, and finding joy amid trials. Through inspiring stories of individuals who have found hope and strength in their faith, you'll gain practical tips to help you navigate challenges.

Rachel's compassionate guidance will help you clear your mind, calm your heart, and draw closer to God, no matter what you're facing. With every episode, you'll learn how to untangle the knots of life and discover the peace and purpose you've been longing for.

You might be feeling overwhelmed. You might be feeling too paralyzed to pray.

But you have a home here. Together, we can find the strength to move forward.

Join Rachel Wojo on this journey of untangling life, one step at a time. You'll find all Rachel's resources HERE.

How do I pray during challenging times? How can I grow closer to God despite life's hardships? How can I find peace and purpose when life feels overwhelming and stressful?
Welcome to the Untangling Prayer with Rachel Wojo podcast, a sanctuary where we navigate the storms of life together, uncovering clarity and calm through faith, prayer, and practical wisdom.
Each week, author <a href="https://rachelwojo.com">Rachel Wojo</a> brings heartfelt conversations and insightful advice on living a life of peace and purpose. We dive deep into prayer, managing stress, overcoming anxiety, and finding joy amid trials. Through inspiring stories of individuals who have found hope and strength in their faith, you'll gain practical tips to help you navigate challenges.
Rachel's compassionate guidance will help you clear your mind, calm your heart, and draw closer to God, no matter what you're facing. With every episode, you'll learn how to untangle the knots of life and discover the peace and purpose you've been longing for.
You might be feeling overwhelmed. You might be feeling too paralyzed to pray.
But you have a home here. Together, we can find the strength to move forward.
Join Rachel Wojo on this journey of untangling life, one step at a time. You'll find all Rachel's resources <a href="https://rachelwojo.com">HERE.</a>

Untangling Prayer with Rachel Wojo

Have you ever whispered "God, please" and wondered if it even counted as a prayer?

Untangling Prayer is for women who want to pray but feel stuck, exhausted, or at a loss for words. Each week, we dig into the hard questions —like how to pray when God feels silent or when you're too tired to try. Then we get practical. You'll walk away with real steps you can take today.

We all need the reminder that prayer matters, so every episode ends with a true story of answered prayer to remind you: God is listening, and He still answers prayer today.

I'm Rachel Wojo. I've prayed from hospital hallways and from the floor of my closet. I've been Hannah, pleading for something impossible. Prayer isn't a theory. It's my guide for both surviving and thriving.

About the host: Rachel Wojo is a Christian speaker and author who helps women pray when life is falling apart. She spent 22 years as a caregiver for her daughter Taylor, who had a terminal illness, and has walked through the loss of both her parents. Rachel is the author of Desperate Prayers and Praying the Promises of Godand speaks at women's retreats and conferences nationwide. Find her at rachelwojo.com.

 

Have you ever whispered "God, please" and wondered if it even counted as a prayer?
Untangling Prayer is for women who want to pray but feel stuck, exhausted, or at a loss for words. Each week, we dig into the hard questions &mdash;like how to pray when God feels silent or when you're too tired to try. Then we get practical. You'll walk away with real steps you can take today.
We all need the reminder that prayer matters, so every episode ends with a true story of answered prayer to remind you: God is listening, and He still answers prayer today.
I'm Rachel Wojo. I've prayed from hospital hallways and from the floor of my closet. I've been Hannah, pleading for something impossible. Prayer isn't a theory. It's my guide for both surviving and thriving.
About the host: Rachel Wojo is a Christian speaker and author who helps women pray when life is falling apart. She spent 22 years as a caregiver for her daughter Taylor, who had a terminal illness, and has walked through the loss of both her parents.&nbsp;Rachel is the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://desperateprayers.com">Desperate Prayers</a> and <a href="https://promisesprayerjournal.com">Praying the Promises of God</a><a href="https://promisesprayerjournal.com"> </a>and speaks at women's retreats and conferences nationwide.&nbsp;Find her at <a href="https://rachelwojo.com">rachelwojo.com.</a>
&nbsp;

Finding Joy When God's Answer Is No with Kristy Graham of Samaritan's Purse

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/3fa24898-51dd-4454-a3e8-b473004028fb/transcript