Prayer of Faith When Your Hopes Are Dashed

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Prayer of Faith When Your Hopes Are Dashed | by Jamie Rohrbaugh | FromHisPresence.com

Have you had a dream destroyed recently? Are you disappointed and grieving over something that isn’t going to work out the way you thought it could–and would? If so, then I encourage you to pray the prayer of faith today, even if your hopes are dashed.

Yesterday, I saw the death of one of my fondest wishes, at least for now.

It wasn’t anything to do with the ministry; it was something really personal, but something that meant a lot to me. It was a dream I have cherished for many years; something important to me and my family; something good for body, soul, and spirit; and something I thought could happen now. I thought it was the right time.

However, after doing my due diligence, I came to the conclusion that it wasn’t humanly possible at this time.

And I’ll be really transparent here: I was heartbroken.

I felt so sad about it. Between that and a few other things yesterday, it just felt like the last straw. 

But you know what? Even though I was tempted to get all over into self-pity like I have SO many times in the past, I just couldn’t.

I’ve been through so much with the Lord, and I know Him. And I KNOW that He is faithful; and that if you delight yourself in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart.

Related: Get to know the Lord better by praying the names of God. Read my complete, FREE how-to guide here.

As it says in Psalm 37:3-4:

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

To be perfectly real, my flesh wanted to get depressed about it. And I did get sad; as I already said, my heart was pretty broken over it. BUT …

And this is a BIG deal to me …

The only thing that I could do–the only thing that was in my spirit–was to say:

“God, it’s impossible. I can’t make this dream happen, even though I thought I could. I thought now is the time, but it looks like it’s not.

BUT GOD, YOU can still do this for me, even now. It’s an impossible dream and I’ve got nothing, and ‘nothing’ is all You need to work with. ‘Nothing’ is what You created the earth out of.

So Father, I’ve got nothing and You’ve got everything. Please help me, and give me the desires of my heart.”

That is the truth. And even though I was disappointed, and even though I asked my friends for prayer, and even though I told my husband how sad and heartbroken I was over it, I couldn’t deny God …

… Because He IS.

He exists.

And He is a REWARDER who operates on and uses our FAITH.

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God is the God of the impossible.

Our God, our Father, makes impossible things happen every single day. He SPOKE and created the heavens and the earth. All it took was one word. And THIS GOD is the One who tells us that, if we:

  • trust in the Lord;
  • do good;
  • dwell in the land; 
  • feed on His faithfulness; and
  • delight ourselves also in the Lord …

Then He will give us the desires of our heart.

Related: 7 Keys to Constant Miracles

That, my friend, is the long and the short of it. That is where we have to sit down and stay, even when our hopes get dashed. Even when our fondest wishes don’t work out; even when we are sad; even when the thing we thought was for now, for this, for this situation and circumstance … isn’t.

We still have to sit in the seat of faith.

My friend, are you there with me right now, today? Have your hopes been dashed?

Are you in a place where you’re sad, maybe even heartbroken, but you’ve been too far with the Lord to look back now? Are you tempted to go down into self-pity, but you know better and you’re fighting off temptation with everything you’ve got?

Or, even if you’re succumbing to the temptation to get into self-pity, are you willing to change your approach right now?

Are you willing to repent for the sin of self-pity? Are you willing to choose to stand in faith? 

Faith is a choice, my friend. One of the biggest and hardest lessons I have ever learned in my life is that faith is a choice. It’s not a feeling; not an emotion; not a visible circumstance. Faith is not what happens when everything works out just the way you want it.

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Faith IS, however, the proof that eventually everything WILL work out the way you want it to in the big picture.

The specific details of what we want in our flesh don’t always work out. Sometimes we get too attached to details, when we should let God work things out for our good. Just because we want a particular thing, person, or whatever right now doesn’t mean that thing, person, or situation is God’s highest and best plan for our lives.

But your faith IS the evidence that you will receive the thing you hope for.

As it says in Hebrews 11:1:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

If you have faith, you can be assured that things will eventually work out.

You might not:

… But you have to trust along the way that the Lord will bring you into contact with the right things and deliver you from the wrong things. Even when we get attached to certain details, we have to yield those details to God and let Him pick out what is TRULY best for us in the big picture. 

Sometimes that big picture takes awhile to form.

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Nevertheless, we have to stand in faith; pray the prayer of faith; and refuse to relent or back off from our position of faith. We have to keep on:

  • trusting in the Lord;
  • doing good;
  • dwelling in the land; 
  • feeding on His faithfulness; and
  • delighting ourselves also in the Lord …

And if you will do that, my friend, then you WILL see the ultimate desire of your heart come to pass.

In the meantime, my friend, are you willing to pray the prayer of faith with me, even while you’re in the waiting room of your dreams? Would you like to confess your faith to the Lord, pouring out your heart before Him, and placing your heart, your emotions, and your trust in Him in this area?

Pray this prayer of faith with me if your hopes are dashed today:

“Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ name.

Father, thank You for being alive and hearing me pray.

Thank You for Jesus, and thank You for being my Father. Thank You for creating the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that in them is.

Thank You for being my all-powerful Lord and God, and yet bending Your ear to speak with me and hear the cry of my heart. Heavenly Father, I love You so much, and I thank You for loving me too.

Father, I’m depending on Your love right now and I know that You will understand.

No one else understands how important this is to me, but You do; for You love me, and You made me. You’re the only One who will truly ‘get it.’

Father God, You know my dream. You see my heart. You know how very important this thing was to me, and You know how long I have dreamed about it.

But Father, it looks like now that it will not happen–or may not happen right now.

Nevertheless, Father, I want You to know I trust You:

Father, even though I had hoped the time was now, it doesn’t look like it is. However, I want You to know that I know You–and I know that You could do this thing for me today if You wish.

I don’t know what Your plan is, Father. I’m not certain of Your timing.

But I do know that Your will is to give me the desires of my heart in the big picture. So Father, I confess to You in faith:

  • If now is Your time, then please make it happen supernaturally for me now. I believe You can.
  • If this is Your situation, then please work it out–divinely carved and created out of nothing, for I have nothing but You have everything. You can do that.
  • But Father God, if Your highest and best time is later–or if Your perfect way is different–then I commit my dreams to You.

Do with me and for me what You will, for I trust You. My times are in Your hands. You will eventually give me the desires of my heart, and I will wait for You to do it at the right time, in the right way, and for the right reasons.

Father God, I love You. I trust You. 

In Jesus’ precious name, I ask that You would strengthen me. Help me to endure. Keep my heart, Father, and help me to keep it with all diligence, for out of my heart stream the issues of life.

Keep me stable, Father; hide me in the secret place of the Most High today. Please encourage me and help me to lift my eyes up to You all day long, for my help comes from You, Maker of Heaven and earth.

Father God, I speak to my soul–my mind, will, and emotions–and I say, ‘Soul, come to attention right now in Jesus’ name! Soul, line up with my spirit, which is filled with Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!”

Father, please keep me as the apple of Your eye and hide me under the shadow of Your wings.

Comfort me, comfort me, and comfort me some more. Help me to keep my eyes on You. Help me to be and stay encouraged. Comfort me in my affliction and distress, Father.

Father, I pray in Jesus’ name for a grateful and thankful heart.

Help me to be grateful and to thank You for all of Your many blessings, instead of giving into temptation to self-pity because I didn’t get the thing I wanted. Father, let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.

Thank You, Abba Father.

Help me to stay firm in You, rooted and grounded in faith in Your Word, all day today and every day. Keep me, Father, for I cannot keep myself. Bless me, Father, and help me to align my words and actions with everything You want me to say and do regarding this.

Father, I believe. Help thou my unbelief.

Do this impossible thing for me, Father, at the right time and in the right way. I pray for it now, Father, sooner rather than later if possible; but later will be fine too, because I know You work all things for my good. No matter what, I trust You.

Thank You, Heavenly Father. I love you so much, and I commit my thoughts, plans, wishes, desires, hopes, and dreams to You. Thank You for giving me the desires of my heart, whenever You choose to do it.

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

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Beloved friend, is Holy Spirit speaking to you about this today as well? If your hopes are dashed but you prayed this prayer, sow a seed of faith and also leave a comment below. I read the comments and I love to hear what’s on your heart, so I can agree with you in prayer about YOUR situation.

44 Comments

  1. linda harrison says:

    All thanks to the Heavenly Father, I prayed the prayer & believe it, God is so good

    1. Jamie a while back you shared about waiting for someone in a Church to move you forward in the ministry. You shared not to waste your time. I commented that I hoped you were wrong. Well, you were right and now I am lost. I am in a leadership program and I was so excited at first, and the more I learn and experience, the more it breaks my heart. A lot of pride and arrogance. How do you deal with arrogance? I just want to walk away and my husband says that I should not, that I should finish; I have twelve weeks left. Any advice?

      1. I so needed this. I have a child with special needs and I love him so much and love caring for him so much but been needing help. There has been no respite and we need to move to a house that is appropriate for him and all his needs. There is an air quality problem (mold possibly) in our current home as well as other repairs needing to be done but we cant do repairs with him in the house and we have no support…so taking him to “grandmas” is not an option. I will admit I have been weary. Been praying about this situation and looking for the Lord to open a door. Thank you for this post. It encouraged me.

        1. Annanson John says:

          It can only be God who made me to receive this message from you.
          Thank you.

    2. FATHER PLEASE COME TO MY AID TONIGHT AND GIVE ME THE DESIRES OF MY HEART!!! MY FAITH IS IN YOU LORD ALL DAY AND NIGHT. IN JESUS’S NAME. AMEN 🙏

    3. “The waiting room of your dreams”. Very beautifully stated!

  2. Nadia Slater says:

    Good day, jamie, I thank you for your words of encouragement for I have been trying to get a job for some time, I am now trying to start a business of my own, not going as well as I thought it would, I was sad and wondering what was happening,then this word and now I understand, thank you for your encouragement it has lifted my spirits, thank you Jesus for the word through your servant.thank you, may God continue to bless you and your family.

  3. Henrietta says:

    Thank you Jamie. This is so timely. Things have come full circle and I am now able to see what I could not see about my situation with my birth family. I thank the LORD for keeping me all these years… and I realize it is time I gave up that which will not be, as the time for it has lapsed. God’s faithfulness helped me come this far even though I was deprived the love and care that people take for granted. It is time to close a chapter and move on… and it breaks my heart to acknowledge the truth as I see it now.

    Yes I have full faith in the LORD and His promise to me. I know no one can love me more than the LORD already does! I will live and fulfill all that ABBA Father has for me! Glory to our Living God forever! AMEN!

  4. Thank you Jamie,This word came at the perfect time,I was waiting for a. Job offer but just promises and disappointments . .Now I will wait on the Lord amen

  5. Hi Jamie, I thank God for this email from you. I have received this at the right time. I was heartbroken to know that I would not get something I dreamt of (and was praying about it too)… I was not sure whom to share this and get some comfort, but I’m glad now that God cares for me and also for my desires, He is faithful always. All glory honor and praise to our Living God!!!! Let His blessed will be done.

  6. TAMMY HAMPTON says:

    I thank God for you, Jamie! Thank you!💗🤗

  7. Tina Lopez says:

    Thank you James for such encouraging words.

  8. Delia Gonzales says:

    Thank you Mrs Jamie I am with you hundred percent I am not feeling well just continue praying for me and I for you I send you a blessing may the lord gives you the desires of your heart in Jesus name that I stay rooted in him all the days of my life amen and amen

  9. Elsie Vaughan says:

    Hi Jamie…thank you for this word. It was really unbelievable, as if you were speaking just yo me.. I receive news that I didn’t expect this afternoon and was really tempted to wallow in self-pitty, disappointed and distress. I thought that was THE ONE. Thank you for all the timely reminders…I do feel so much better. Jesus, I believe in you and will continue to trust You!!

  10. Dear Jamie, thank you for your obedience to the Spirit in sharing this message. It has been absolutely timely and very encouraging. I struggle with sometimes trying to hold onto something that should be let go of, because I want to be sure the outcome is safe. Control. So that’s kinda the opposite of trust. How far do I REALLY trust ABBA God? So thank you for this reminder: that all things will be beautiful in His time. Hallelujah!

    Love,
    Broken-hearted but Beloved Daughter of God

  11. I believe and know God is incharge..it will end in praise. Thanks Jamie.

  12. Elizabeth Tuinidau says:

    What i really need for Abba.How amazed are your thoughts.You really know my life,my family and nothing is hidden from you Abba.Wipe my tears Lord,wipe it Abba,as i lean to you and also we lean to you with my family.You are great Abba.
    Thank you Sweet Jesus for your daughter Jamie.I am so blessed to have a great friend like Sis Jamie.
    Praise God for your life Sis Jamie.Amen!!!!

  13. Oh !WHAT A TIMILY PRAYER! I WAS HOPING GOD WOULD RESTORE MY FAMILY AFTER UNEXPLAINED DIVORCE! BUT THE JUDGE RULED IN MY EX-HUSBAND FAVOUR ALL THR WAY EVEN IF HE LIED! NOW FORCED TO LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE EVEN IF DIVORCED! HE HAD LAYWERS BUT I DID NOT! I TRUSTED GOD TO REVEAL THE TRUTH AND VINDICATE ME AND MY TWO SONS! THIS PRAYER GAVE ME BACK HOPE AND ALLOW GODS WILL TO TAKE PLACE! AY HIS OWN TIME! THANK YOU OH LORD! GIVE ME STRENGTH TO PURSUE FOR A HOUSE WHERE ME AND THE KIDS CAN MOVE IN TO AND LIVE A HAPPY LIFE WITHOUT OPPRESSION! OH LORD SET US FREE IN JESUS MIGHTY NAME

  14. I am standing for my marriage. I believe in faith for Abba God to do a mighty work. In Jesus name amen.

  15. Carla Y Lane says:

    Thank you Jamie for your love and encouragement for the Body of Christ. We need to encourage each other every day. God Bless you. Thank you for the Gift you are in the Body of Christ. Your prayers and prophetic words are like a fresh wind of God’s Spirit to refresh me.

  16. I’m encouraged. Thanks be to God.

  17. Thank you so much Jamie. God bless you and keep you.

  18. Jamie, hold on to your dreams that seem dead, this could be the devil trying to undermine your progress in this dream, an your readiness for it will come I feel this strongly, my mother-in-law was not a christian, funny thing she was a church goer in her youth, but in adulthood she did not go, she always had words of wisdom, but at her death she was saved, prayed everyday to our Lord, she always told my wife that any hope or dream that was suppose to be will be, an if you are to have it you, will, God Bless Allen

  19. IRMA NORTJE says:

    We stand in firm belief that our Heavenly Father will touch and heal me and my husband in our Mind Body Soul and Spirit. i Rejoice in the Lord that he will deliver us and restore His Holy will and plan and calling upon our lives. He will grant us peace faith and joy in our quest to dwell in His favor upon our family, people to turn hearts to Christ in these times. Thank you Jamie for your mentorship, leadership, obedience in sharing Gods impulses of the Holy Spirit. Heal us save our souls grant us wisdom hope grace. Thank you Lord. Irma Blessed Christmas and New Year to all.

  20. Thank you for this prayer- my hearts desire to see my 3 children (all early to late 30s) Married and with children has not happened – yet.
    Our family looks very different than what we had imagined at this stage. We are so blessed in so many ways – and it is strange to feel so thankful snd grateful and yet so deeply sad and disappointed at the same time!
    My children are unfulfilled in their singlesness and there is a deep longing , an ache and profound sadness – my daughters feel the biological clock ticking- they can’t make their dream happen , they cannot get the years back – and sometimes feels like God is cruelly withholding blessings that He gives everyone else – reminders everywhere. Even though, we know that is not Who He is.
    I hurt to see them hurting . I can’t fix it either.
    And my own hearts desire to see my children thriving and my family growing remains unfulfilled, too.

    I read your prayer out loud and was comforted by your acknowledgment of deep disappointment – I know these truths but needed a reminder from someone who understands – it was a jumpstart for me when the hurt was so deep that I couldn’t find words to pray –
    Thank you for sharing!

  21. Carla S Shier says:

    Thank you Jamie.

  22. IRMA NORTJE says:

    Amen, thank you Lord God our Heavenly Father, in Jesus name.

  23. Thanks be to God for this wonderful prayer God Bless Jamie and continue to use her mightily in Jesus name

  24. Thank you for your guidance and prayers in this area Jamie. I feel completey heartbroken and lost. I have fibromyalgia and adhd and autism. I desperately want a husband and child of my own, but my body is in too much pain. I struggle with relationships and time is running out for me. I stand in faith for a breakthrough in my health
    and my life. God is good and faithful. AMEN 🙏

  25. Good morning,

    Yesterday, I was feeling self-pity as well. However, I heard that I am focusing on the wrong things that causes me sadness. I need to be thankful for the good things and keep working on the assignments that has been given to me. Also, have faith in God that He will do just what He said He would do. I need prayer of agreement to fulfill my assignments and to step out on faith to achieve the purpose and the plan of God that has been given to me. (The visions that has been given to me, will bless so many people) Thank you and may the desires of your heart happen SUDDENLY!

  26. Antonella says:

    Thank you for the timely and prayerful word to uphold each other in time of discouragement and disappointment. The Father sees and hears our cries and comforts us in time of need. Thank you Father, by your blood we are redeemed and renewed in your Love. Amen 🙏

  27. Thank you Jamie for sharing from your heart and for your honesty. I am going through the same thing today, with great disappointment after having received many, many words that the end of my homelessness would happen in July, b/c July is the month of completion. I received all of these words and I still believe that a very temporary situation that the enemy has forced me into is NOT Abba’s, Jesus or Holy Spirit’s will. The enemy has cornered me and I am being squeezed beyond my endurance. BUT GOD… But God will have the last word while I will be in prison( not literally but it feels like it).
    I prayed this prayer and I will print it and pray it often. I will sow as soon as the Lord gives me the seed. My last dollar was stolen by the enemy but my God is greater and will pay back seven fold. I pray the Lord’s blessing and favor over you and your family, In Jesus Name!!!

  28. IRMA NORTJE says:

    Amen, thanku Jamie

  29. Thank You, Father, for always hearing our prayers and answering us in Your time, Your way and Your season. You are not confined to time as we are so You are never early or late in Your responses to us. Thank You that You love me and know me more than I love or know myself. This means that You always know what’s best for me in every situation. Thank You. I pray for the patience to continue waiting for You to bring about all that You have promised Your children with regard to what’s happening in our nation and the world. Forgive me for allowing impatience or weariness to impede my waiting and even cause me to doubt just a little. I have faith in You, Father, and I trust You more than any person. You will do what You have promised and I celebrate that even without seeing it happen yet. I believe. Amen.

  30. Thank you Jamie, May God bless you exceedingly.

    This prayer came to me early this morning after a cry that I had, it might seem petty but I was hurting inside. This prayer seemed so timely and it was as though you knew what I was going through.
    God works all things for our good…I choose to believe so

    1. I’m sorry you were hurting. I pray the Lord will strengthen your heart today!
      Blessings,
      Jamie Rohrbaugh

  31. Elijah Dorris says:

    I thank you very much for this prayer of faith and it speaks volumes my current situation. I declare that it will come to pass God’s way, his timing, and that it will be right on time as he always is with everything in my life. Send your holy angels to enforce you will with ur divine timing which is always perfect In Jesus Christ name I say it is done!

  32. Thank You, Father, for hearing my heart cries, my unspoken thoughts and answering unspoken prayers. I love you

  33. Irma Nortje says:

    AMEN Thanku Jamie. Heavenly Father Touch and heal our hearts soul mind and body. Bless protect provide us and guide us and comfort our grieving family and turn hearts to Thee. Deliver us Sustain us in your divine will and plan for our lives family and future to serve and Glorify your mighty name ThankYou

  34. In Jesus Christ Name I’m waiting on You Lord,You never fail You won’t start now

  35. Joseph Gandywest Agathe says:

    I receive this prayer of faith.In Jesus name. AMEN

  36. Thank you Lord for giving me the desires of my heart, in Jesus’ Name, Amen

  37. Ronke Babalola says:

    I read and prayed through with heavy heart and tears running down my face. But the prayer lifted my spirit and rekindled hope in me again. All God needs to work with is nothing, and I trust him to make something out of this nothing cos I actually don’t know what to do with this expectation seemingly dashed. He is God of all possibilities, and he makes everything possible in his own time. I trust him still.

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