Persisting in Prayer Even When the Walls are Closing In

Growing up in a Christian home, prayer was not emphasized as much as memorizing scripture. The only time our family prayed together was at mealtime.  As I entered adulthood, marrying and raising children, my interest in scriptures pertaining to prayer became a vital part of my life. As a wife, as a mother, and as a part of the ministry that God had called me to, I learned very quickly that without communication with my heavenly Father—I wouldn’t make it.

Although I had heard many messages, read books, and even tried “formulas” on how and in what posture to pray, I did not find peace. I discovered that when trying to “perform” during prayer time, there was no comfort, satisfaction, or certainty that He even heard me.  It felt like simply a religious ritual.

One funny instance, I’m almost embarrassed to tell, was in my early days of trying to figure out the best place to pray to make it a worthwhile meeting with Jesus. I took Matthew 6:6. “go into your private room, shut your door, and pray…”, at face value.   So, one day when the kids were at school, I shut myself into a large cedar closet upstairs in our home.  I snuggled into the stored sleeping bags and extra pillows and began to talk to God.  After a while I felt like I had prayed long enough and went to open the door (this was before cell phones).  As I moved my hand around the door where the knob should have been, I did not find a doorknob.  My heart was panicked, my mind was racing as I talked to myself, “I have to pick the kids up from school soon, Tim is not around, no one will hear me in here!”  I felt anxious, thinking about how long it would be before anyone would find me, and how silly it would be when they found me stuck in a closet.

I share this story because if we are not careful, we may miss that the place and posture of prayer (although important) are not prerequisites to having a productive prayer life.  It’s the persistence to have communication with our Father, believing that the Word is full of promises, and that if we pray—He will hear us, meet with us, and answer us.

My time in the closet caused me to be reminded of all the scriptures I had memorized. Feeling anxious, I was reminded of Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (NKJV) Feeling uncertain, I recalled I John 5:14, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything, according to His will, He hears us.” (NKJV) Lastly, feeling overwhelmed, I was reminded of the parable of the persistent widow found in Luke 18, declaring “that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” (NKJV)

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed as I sat back into the corner of the closet (wishing I had a snack…lol), but I was grateful for the subtle reminder that in knowing and declaring God’s Word, my prayers were being heard, and He would answer them no matter where I was!

Eventually I went back to the door, wondering if I had missed something, and as I reached up just a little higher, there was the doorknob!

Jodi Cushman

Women’s Discipleship Director – Delmarva DC Region

Jodi Cushman serves as the Women's Discipleship Director in the Delmarva DC region, appointed alongside her husband, Tim Cushman, at the 2024 General Assembly. A proud native of Maine, Jodi was raised in a layman's home where her parents’ lifelong service in the church inspired her own dedication to ministry. Her journey began early, working with children at just 13 years old.

Together, Jodi and Tim have over 35 years of experience in ministry leadership, including more than a decade as Administrative Bishop and Women's Discipleship Director, serving in the Heartland Region, Great Lakes Region and Northern New England.   Before that, they faithfully served as Youth and Discipleship Directors for 20 years, in Northern New England, Great Lakes, West Virginia, Delmarva-DC and Tennessee.

As proud parents of three married children, they are now enjoying the joy of investing in their six grandchildren.

Jodi’s heart is deeply rooted in the well-being of the women God has placed under her care, understanding the profound impact a healthy family has on one’s capacity to serve God fully.