We’ve all been there. The job you thought was yours slips away. The marriage you prayed for falls apart. The dream you nurtured quietly in your heart never seems to take shape. Disappointment is such a universal experience that you almost wonder why it still catches us off guard.

And yet, when it hits, it cuts deep. It leaves us wondering, Where is God in this? Why didn’t He come through the way I hoped?

If you’ve ever whispered those words through tears, take heart: you’re not alone. Scripture is filled with people who knew disappointment intimately. But it’s also filled with the faithfulness of God meeting His children in their lowest moments. Today, let’s walk through how we can bring our disappointments to Him, and how we can find the strength to rise again.

1. Disappointment Is Part of the Faith Journey

Sometimes, when life doesn’t go as planned, we’re quick to blame ourselves. We wonder, Did I miss God’s will? Did I pray wrong? Am I not good enough? I found myself asking these very questions after my divorce.
But disappointment is not foreign to God’s people.

David longed to build a temple for God, but God said no. Moses led faithfully for decades, only to be barred from entering the Promised Land. Paul begged for his thorn in the flesh to be removed, and God responded not with deliverance, but with grace. Even Jesus faced disappointment – His closest friends fell asleep while He prayed in Gethsemane, and the crowds who once adored Him later cried out for His crucifixion.

Their stories remind us: disappointment doesn’t mean we are out of God’s favour. It simply means we are human, living in a broken world, walking a road where even the most faithful saints have stumbled.

2. Be Honest With God

One of the most healing steps we can take is to name our disappointment before God. Too often we plaster on a smile, convincing ourselves that “good Christians” shouldn’t feel let down. But denial isn’t faith; it’s avoidance.

The psalmists show us a better way. “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” Psalm 13:1 ESV. Or this cry: “My tears have been my food day and night” (Psalm 42:3 ESV).
God isn’t threatened by our honesty. In fact, He invites it. When we pour out our disappointment to Him – our confusion, our grief, even our anger – we open the door for His comfort to enter.

Maybe today you need to write your own psalm. Tell God exactly what you hoped for, how it hurts to let it go, and where you feel lost. That kind of raw honesty is not weakness; it’s worship.

3. Remember Who He Is

Here’s the tricky thing about disappointment: it doesn’t just bruise our hearts; it clouds our view of God. The enemy whispers, He’s not really good. He doesn’t care. You can’t trust Him with your future.

But disappointment must drive us deeper into God’s character, not away from it. When feelings scream otherwise, we anchor ourselves in truth:

•  God is faithful. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end.” Lamentations 3:22 ESV
• God is wise. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.” Isaiah 55:9 ESV
• God is good. “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble” Nahum 1:7 ESV

We may not see the full picture, but we can trust the One who does.

4. Let God Reframe the Story

Sometimes what feels like the end is really God’s redirection. Joseph knew what it was to be disappointed: betrayed, imprisoned, forgotten. And yet, years later, he could look his brothers in the eye and say, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20 ESV).

Could it be that your disappointment is not wasted either? That delay may be preparation. That closed door may be protection. That broken dream may be the soil for something even better to grow.

It doesn’t make the pain disappear, but it shifts our perspective from despair to expectation.

5. Lift Your Eyes to Eternal Hope

At its core, disappointment reminds us that this world will never fully satisfy. If every prayer was answered exactly as we wanted, if every dream came true, we might forget that we are pilgrims passing through.

Hebrews 11 speaks of those who “did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance” (v. 13 NIV). Their unmet expectations kept their eyes fixed on a better country – a heavenly one.

Your hope is not tied to this moment, this job, this relationship, or this dream. Your hope is tied to Jesus – the One who bore ultimate disappointment on the cross so you could inherit eternal joy.

6. Picking Yourself Up: Practical Steps

So, what do you do when disappointment lingers like a heavy shadow? Here are some simple, biblical practices:

1.  Pray honestly. Pour out your heart to God (see Psalm 62:8).
2. Cling to Scripture. Let His Word anchor you when emotions shift (see Psalm 119:105).
3. Lean on community. Don’t walk alone; allow others to carry your burdens (see Galatians 6:2).
4. Choose worship. Praise doesn’t erase the pain, but it lifts your eyes to God’s power (see Acts 16:25).
5. Look for redemption. Ask God how He might use even this disappointment for His glory (see Romans 8:28).

Rising after disappointment doesn’t mean pretending you’re fine. It means holding God’s hand as He leads you step by step toward healing and hope.

An Invitation to Hope

Friend, if you’re reading this through the lens of fresh disappointment, I want you to know this: you are not forgotten. God has not overlooked you. He has not abandoned your story.

Take a moment today to write down your disappointment. Name it clearly. Then, beside it, write one unshakable truth about God’s character. Let that truth become the banner over your pain. Because while disappointment may have the loudest voice right now, God has the final word.

A Prayer for the Disappointed Heart

Lord, I bring my disappointment before You today. You know the places where my heart feels heavy, where dreams have slipped away, where prayers seem unanswered. I confess that sometimes I struggle to trust You in the waiting. But today, I choose to believe You are still good, still faithful, still writing my story. Wrap me in Your comfort. Teach me to rest in Your presence. Heal what is broken, and use even this disappointment to draw me closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Final Encouragement

Disappointment doesn’t get the last say. Jesus does. And in Him, your story is still unfolding with purpose, hope, and glory. One day, every tear will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4). Until then, let disappointment lead you closer to the only One who never fails.

Marthe Badibanga

A volunteer blogger whose passion is to see the people of God become all that the LORD intended them to be in their personal relationships with Him that overflow into their daily lives.

The post When Disappointment Strikes: Finding Hope in God’s Word appeared first on Cup of Faith.

Jentezen Franklin’s book, Fasting: Opening the Door to a Deeper, More Intimate, More Powerful Relationship with God, explores fasting and its transformative effects on a believer’s life. Grounded in Biblical principles, Franklin emphasizes that fasting goes beyond mere food abstinence; it is a deliberate act of devotion intended to deepen one’s relationship with God.

My insights from “Fasting”

The book’s central theme is the Biblical basis for fasting. It discusses the different types of fasts found in Scripture—absolute, normal, and partial—and offers guidance on choosing the right fast according to personal circumstances and spiritual objectives.

The link between fasting and prayer is thoroughly explored. The book highlights that fasting alongside prayer enhances our spiritual sensitivity and aligns our hearts with God’s intentions.

Franklin emphasizes the importance of managing our Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Expectations.

Fasting has both challenges and rewards, including physical hunger, mental clarity, and spiritual breakthroughs.

Finally, advice on implementing fasting in daily life is explored for Practical Application. Readers are encouraged to approach fasting with a spirit of humility and dedication.

Fasting by Jentezen Franklin

What I took away from “Fasting”

1. Fasting is a personal discipline that fosters a partnership with God.
2. There are various types of fasts. I need to discern what God is calling me to.
3. Fasting serves to control the flesh. Jesus fasted, so I should too.
4. I need to blend faith and patience into my experience when I fast. Results aren’t always immediate.
5. The question I must ask myself during the fast is, what is God’s goal for the fast? Not what my goal is for the fast.
6. A lack of repentance and unforgiveness will invalidate any fast. I need to approach a time of fasting with self-awareness.

Who should read “Fasting”?

I highly recommend Fasting by Jentezen Franklin to all believers, regardless of their current stage on the spiritual journey. Whether you’re new to fasting or have fasted before but wish to deepen your understanding, this book offers Biblical insight and practical guidance that can transform your spiritual life.

Many Christians today overlook fasting, treating it as optional or outdated—but Franklin reawakens its significance as a powerful, God-ordained discipline. Through this book, readers will better appreciate how fasting can unlock a more intimate, focused relationship with God. Franklin explains the “how” and the “why” of fasting, helping believers grasp its spiritual impact—from breakthroughs in prayer to increased spiritual clarity to a renewed hunger for God’s presence.

This book holds significant value for individuals seeking guidance, longing for renewal, or experiencing spiritual dryness. It’s also perfectly suited for church leaders and small group discussions, offering clear instruction and motivation to reinstate this frequently overlooked practice in our spiritual journeys.

Ultimately, Fasting empowers and motivates believers to seek God with greater intensity, sacrificing physical desires to attain everlasting rewards.

Lea Peters

Lea Peters has been a pastor’s wife and missionary since 1987. She has served alongside her husband, Jamie, planting churches and establishing faith-based community outreaches in Africa. She has four children and two grandchildren.

aculturalshift.com

The post Book Review: Fasting by Jentzen Franklin | Opening the door to a deeper, more intimate, more powerful relationship with God appeared first on Cup of Faith.

We all pray. Talking to God seems to be a part of our DNA, from the ‘God, if you’re listening’ cries of desperation to the well-thumbed hymnal of a devout 80 year old. Prayer can be freestyle or written as a poem, wordless or wordy, quick-fire or facedown petitioning sessions, popcorn group prayers or individual meditative heart-prayers.

One fascinating reflection on prayer is Charles Spurgeon’s chapter ‘Order and Argument in Prayer’ in his book ‘The Power in Prayer’. What were some of the formulas of the prophets’ effective petitions? What examples can we use to fuel our personal faith in prayer and stoke passion into our cries?

First, we must acknowledge that all prayer reaches God’s ears. The enemy can often taunt us with the lie that God can’t or won’t listen to His children. We can counter this easily with various scriptures, for example:

Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. (Psalm 55:17)

Just like any good father is attentive to his child’s voice, God listens to all our prayers no matter the size or shape.

Arguing your case in prayer

As we discussed this topic as a bible study group, I realised that many of us in the room felt that to ‘beef up’ our prayers with reasons God should answer us felt almost… demanding. It felt like we were actually discussing ‘seven steps to manipulating God into giving you what you want’. This demure attitude may be a whiplash effect in our church culture following the anti-prosperity-gospel sentiments of Reformers and Friends. But what does the Bible say? Moses padded his prayers with arguments. Elijah (a man like us!) knew what to say to see results. Jeremiah, too, was pretty wordy. Can all of these men of God be wrong and manipulative? Maybe, just maybe, when we speak to God from a place of relationship, persuasive methods are not so much about getting what we want but aligning our faith, our belief system, with what we know to be true about Him.

The following list can be found in ‘The Power in Prayer’ by Charles Spurgeon:

1. God’s Attributes

Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it?

Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:24-25)

Abraham pleads with God not to destroy the city on the basis of God’s righteous justice.

To base your prayer requests on God’s attributes means to appeal to what you know about God: His love, His kindness, His justice, his mercy. God’s nature will never change and our prayers are powerful when based on His unchanging characteristics.

2. God’s Promises

“Now, O Lord God, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, establish it forever and do as You have said.” (2 Samuel 7:25)

This is a piece of David’s prayer in response to a prophecy from the prophet Nathan.

Here we see David aligning his prayers to God’s promises to him rather than his personal desires. He had initially planned to build the temple himself but had to back-pedal following Nathan’s words. 

This is perhaps one of the better known prayer strategies: Basing prayers on scriptures (God’s word) and to use scripture in prayer. For example, when praying for someone’s future you might quote Jeremiah 29:11. ‘God’s Promises’ could also include personal, tested prophetic words that have been given to you through the Holy Spirit.

3. The Name of God

Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, ‘He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people. (Exodus 32:12)

Reverence for God’s great glory (or ‘fear of God’) is a heart posture that is cultivated over time. God Himself is deeply committed to His own glory and He will defend it. This is a common prayer argument used by Moses in Exodus and Numbers.

4. The Sorrow of His People

Her Nazirites were brighter than snow

And whiter than milk;

They were more ruddy in body than rubies,

Like sapphire in their appearance.

Now their appearance is blacker than soot;

They go unrecognized in the streets;

Their skin clings to their bones,

It has become as dry as wood.

(Lamentations 4:7-8)

In this poetic lamentation, Jeremiah reminds God of the depth of the people’s suffering. God’s compassion for His people knows no bounds. In fact, our deep longing to see suffering resolved in specific spheres are most likely initiated by His Spirit. When deep cries out to deep, He will no doubt respond!

5. The Past

And Moses said to the Lord: “Then the Egyptians will hear it, for by Your might You brought these people up from among them…” (Numbers 14:13)

The word testimony in Hebrew is ‘Aydooth’ which means ‘do it again with the same power and authority’. When we read the Bible our faith is kindled by the many miracles and answered prayers. We can use biblical examples of God’s movements to strengthen our prayers. If He’s done it before, He can do it again!

6. The Only True God

And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. (1 Kings 18:36)

Spurgeon quotes this famous passage in which fire rages down from heaven to consume a hosed-down sacrifice, moat of water and pagan blasphemers. Elijah prayed that all would know Him as the only true God and God revealed Himself in an extravagant showdown.

7. The Sufferings of Jesus

If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (John 14:14)

Praying based on the sufferings of Jesus means to pray in His name. This is the most common ‘argument’ that Christians use in their prayers and for good reason. God will always remain faithful to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Jesus is our great intercessor and mediator and when we pray in His Name, we are saying that we are praying so that His work, kingdom and glory will be magnified in the answers to our prayers.

Try it out

It’s helpful to think of this process as a conversation. For example, when I tried out argument one, ‘The Attributes of God’ in my prayer this morning, I wasn’t sure which of His characteristics related most with my request. I was praying over the book I am currently writing and I felt the Holy Spirit remind me of the ‘Spirit of Knowledge’. God is a God of knowledge and books fall well under that category! 

Why try to use one or two of these seven arguments that you haven’t used before? 

Let us know how it goes in the comments below!

Ref: Spurgeon, C. (1996) The Power in Prayer. Whitaker House.

Kate Walsh

Kate is the current owner and editor of Cup of Faith. She is a blogger who loves Jesus, loves to read, and currently lives in Johannesburg with her husband.

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“I am prayerful and I am joyful!”

What a wonderful statement to make and ponder but in reality, some of us may be struggling to pray or perhaps you have questions: 

• To whom do I pray to? 
• How do I pray? 
• Why should I pray? 
• Do prayers even work?

One evening during Bible study a fellow believer asked a very simple yet intriguing question, it might sound trivial to some but to others, it’s an important question that they may have in their walk with Christ. When I pray, who is it that I am addressing? I tell you this got me thinking long and hard  –I know the answer, do you?

According to the Scriptures, the disciples directly addressed Christ in their prayers and today we do too but always remember it is the Holy Spirit that enables us to pray and draw us closer to God. 

Let us read the following scriptures together about how the Holy Spirit aids us: 

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” John 14:26 (ESV)  and

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)

Simply put there is no right or wrong way to pray but Jesus does give us a guideline on how to, let us reflect on Matthew 6:7-15 where Jesus said “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Our prayers not only acknowledge Him as our Lord and how sovereign He is but that we also wish to follow His statutes in everything we do daily. Prayer is essentially first to honor God and to give Him glory, He comes first and we come second.

How you conduct your prayer life is entirely up to you but it should always remain not only biblical but also respectful. I know some people who talk to God out loud as they go about their day or people like myself who have an internal dialog with the Lord in addition to  our quiet time during devotions. It does not matter how you do it as long as you are doing it respectfully. We should be constantly praying and rejoicing in the Lord (See Romans 12:12).

Pray and pray some more

Prayer is of such great importance in our lives as it forms a deeper more personal relationship with God and perpetual prayer emphasizes our true faith. (See Luke 18:1-8.) He should be the first person you seek counsel from. Remember “the war room” or a prayer strategy I spoke about in my previous blog post? That’s exactly what I mean when I say pray and pray some more! The reason behind prayer immediately takes me to Jeremiah 29:12 where God tells us that if we genuinely call out to Him, He will always listen and help us through the troubles and calamities we face and prayer ultimately gives us peace (see Philippians 4:6-7). 

This does not mean “lip service” for the sake of keeping appearances and relying on your own understanding and others to make or see a difference- this is superficial prayer; God wants genuineness and He wants the raw naked you with full dependence upon Him.

By genuinely praying (see James 4:3), calling out to God and seeking His will through His word you begin to grasp that everything lies in His powerful hands and everything in His time will be rectified. Leave it to Him and obey His commands and you will surely see Him working in ways you couldn’t possibly imagine!

Prayers do work

I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve encountered God answering my prayers, not in ways I thought foolishly but I realized it was in His time once again. I will give you an example: when I became saved, the biggest battle I faced was my patience– or rather lack thereof! I had a very short temper and one of many prayers I prayed was that the Lord grant me patience…

It’s funny when I think back because it wasn’t something that happened by the snap of a finger – trust me it would have been very convenient if it did, but then there would be no lesson learned and zero accountability. I would have simply moved on without a second thought. Fostering patience was continuous – it is spiritual growth that leads to wisdom. God presented me with opportunities to become patient: from getting my sleeve caught on a doorknob to more complex situations where losing my temper would have created devastation. So I’ll pose you with another reflective question that applies to many if not all aspects of our lives: How can we say we reflect or are ambassadors for Christ when we act contrary to His commands? 

I urge you to think about all the prayers you prayed for, have they been answered or not? If your answer is yes, then did you remember to take the time in your devotion to write them down and thank the Lord for answering them – and with the same breath, thanking Him for never forsaking you? If your answer is no, not yet I’m still waiting: please do not lose hope or faith but trust in God and He will make straight your paths (see Proverbs 3:5-6). Be reminded that He knows what we need, when we need it and how much of it is needed in our lives. He knows what is good for us and what will bring Him glory. Our Divine Shepherd will provide and protect us in all situations. God is lavish in His love for His sheep! (see Psalm 23)

Prayer

My prayer for you, my wonderfully and fearfully made sister, is the following:

Dear Lord, today I surrender myself wholeheartedly to your hands. I’ve spent too much time in my own understanding. I’ve been leaning on others where I should have come to you first, I should have sought your counsel first rather than following the counsel of the world. 

Lord, may my plans always be in line with yours and if they are not please help guide me with wisdom, steadfastness, and endurance as I navigate how to follow your commands to become more Christ-like and that I never forget to be prayerful and joyful in you!

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Sylvia van Jaarsveld

I’m a volunteer blogger. Welcome to my blog posts! May my writings be an inspiration to you and an aid to get you into a biblical mindset: “It’s never me but God!”
Let us grow together!
~Col 2:6-8

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