What do you tell your child when they say, “God isn’t listening”? This moment changed everything for me.

Every night at bedtime, even before my children learned to talk, I taught them to pray.
It became our quiet ritual — a short prayer, a gentle “Amen,” and then tucking them in.

My first child had challenges with communication and social skills. But over time, with patience and prayer, he began to bloom. By the time he turned five, he was learning, laughing, and connecting with others like any child his age.

My second child, however, has been a different journey. He learns and processes the world in his own unique way — a little more “neurodivergent,” as people would say.

So each night, while my youngest was still too little to join, I prayed with my eldest son. And every single night, I prayed for my youngest — that he would learn to express himself, connect with people, and understand the world around him.

I don’t remember exactly how many years I did that. But one evening, after our usual bedtime prayer, my eldest turned to me and asked,

“Mom, why do you still pray about that? God doesn’t seem to hear you.
My brother doesn’t seem to change. He’s still the same.”

His words were honest — the kind of truth only a child could say without hesitation.

I smiled and said, “Of course God hears our prayers.”

He looked puzzled. “Then His answer must be no.”

That’s when I told him something I had to remind myself, too:

“God never says no. His answer might not always be what we expect — but it’s always what’s best. Sometimes, we can’t see it right away because we’re focused on what we want Him to do, not on what He’s already doing.”

That conversation stayed with me. It reminded me that faith isn’t about getting what we ask for — it’s about trusting that God is still working, even when we don’t see the changes we hoped for.

Maybe my prayer for my son was never just about speech or connection.
Maybe God was teaching me patience, endurance, and unconditional love.
Maybe He was helping my eldest learn empathy and faith.
And maybe — just maybe — He was showing me that miracles aren’t always loud.
Sometimes, they’re slow, steady, and unfolding right in front of us.

If you’re a parent praying the same prayer night after night — for progress, for peace, for breakthroughs — don’t lose heart.
God hears you. He’s working in ways you can’t always see.

Because His answer is never “no.”
It’s always love.

Every tough moment has a reason — and a way through it.

Each challenge is a thread in the story God is still beautifully weaving.

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Disclaimer:
We’re not medical professionals, therapists, or child development experts. We’re moms and aunts of differently wired kids, sharing what we’ve learned through experience, guidance from licensed therapists, and our own research. Our goal is to offer insights and encouragement—not professional advice. For personalized guidance, please consult a qualified specialist.

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