In my five decades of ministry, I've talked to many people who were deeply troubled because God seemed far away. They didn't feel that He cared about their personal needs, so they had a difficult time praying.

Occasionally the reason surfaced quickly--unconfessed sin, a vengeful spirit, pride, addictions, and the like. But when no sin was evident and the person submitted daily to Jesus as Lord, read the Bible, and prayed persistently, the best advice I could offer was, "Talk to God about your problem and keep doing what you are doing."

The Bible tells us of people who faced the same sort of problem. The prophet Jeremiah went through a time when God actually seemed like his enemy (Lam. 3:1-18). In striking imagery he described his anguish over a God who "shuts out my prayer" (v.8). He felt as if God were hunting him down (vv.10-12). But as he expressed his sorrow, Jeremiah saw a light that pierced the darkness and restored his hope in the Lord (vv.21-26).

If God seems far away from you, even though you are trusting Him and trying to do His will, don't despair. Talk to Him about it. Keep doing what you know is right. The light will break through. And when it does, you will be immeasurably better for it.  — Herbert Vander Lugt