When God Seems Silent Lesson Plan

Silent Ball

This is a simple, no-talking game that gets everyone moving and helps set the stage for our topic. You’ll need a soft ball or small plush item to toss around. Have your group stand in a circle with enough space to move their arms freely.

Explain the rules: You’re going to play catch—but no talking, no noise, no gestures, and no sound at all. If someone talks, laughs, or makes any noise, they sit down. If someone drops the ball or throws a wild toss, they also sit down. The last person standing wins. You can play a few rounds if time allows.

This game is fun but also connects to the idea of silence, which will lead into the main lesson. After the game, use a few simple follow-up questions:

• How did it feel to have to stay completely silent during the game?
• Was it hard not to speak or react?
• Did you feel more alert or more uncomfortable without words?
• How do you usually react when things go quiet?

That game was all about silence. It was funny at first, but maybe it also felt a little strange. We’re so used to noise, talking, and reacting. When everything goes quiet, it can feel awkward or even tense. Sometimes silence makes us notice things we usually ignore—like how others move or how we’re feeling inside.

Now think about what it’s like when God feels silent. When we pray or ask for help and don’t hear or feel anything in return. That kind of silence isn’t a game—it can feel confusing, even painful. But just like in the game, something is still happening, even in the quiet.

Let’s look at a story Jesus told about this. It’s about a woman who didn’t give up, even when it seemed like no one was listening. Open your Bible to Luke 18:1-8, and let’s read it together. Then we’ll talk about what it means when God seems silent.

Read Luke 18:1-8 (The Persistent Widow), the Gospel for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.

He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’

For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’”

The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them?

I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Luke 18:1-8

Let’s be honest for a minute. Have you ever prayed and felt like nobody was listening? Like your words just bounced off the ceiling? Maybe you asked God for help. Maybe it was serious—someone you love was sick, or you were hurting inside, or you just wanted to feel peace. And all you got was silence.

That’s tough. It can feel like God doesn’t care. Like maybe He’s too busy. Or maybe He’s just not there at all. That silence can shake your faith. It can make you wonder, “What’s the point of praying if nothing changes?”

But guess what? You’re not the only one who’s felt this way. Not even close. In fact, Jesus talks about this very thing in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 18. He tells a story about a widow who keeps going to a judge to ask for justice. The judge doesn’t care about her or about doing the right thing. But she keeps showing up. Over and over. She wears him down. Eventually, he gives her what she wants—not because he wants to help her, but because he’s tired of being bothered.

Then Jesus says something important: if even this unfair, selfish judge gives in, how much more will God—who is loving and just—listen to us when we cry out to Him?

So why does God still feel silent sometimes?

That’s a real question. And it’s okay to ask it.

Sometimes we pray, and we get what we asked for. That’s a “yes.” Sometimes we pray, and the answer is clearly “no.” That’s hard, but at least we know. But often, the answer is “not yet.” And that’s the hardest one of all. Because waiting feels like silence. Waiting feels like being forgotten.

But here’s the thing: God is not ignoring you. He’s not punishing you. He sees the full picture of your life. He sees things you don’t see. And He’s working, even in the silence.

Think about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, right before He was arrested. He knew what was coming—pain, betrayal, death. He asked the Father to take it away. “Let this cup pass from me,” He said. But then He added something that changed everything: “Not my will, but yours be done.” Even when He felt sorrow and fear, Jesus trusted the Father. And He kept praying.

That’s the kind of trust we’re invited to have, too. Not perfect, not easy, but real.

So what should you do when God seems silent?

• Keep going to Mass. Even when it feels dry. God is there in the Eucharist, whether you feel Him or not.
• Go to Confession. Grace is real, and it helps even when emotions aren’t strong.
• Pray short prayers. “God, I’m still here.” “I feel alone.” “Help me trust.” That’s enough.
• Write down your prayers. Journaling helps you see patterns, and it’s a way to be honest with God.
• Read the Psalms. They’re full of real prayers, full of questions and pain and faith.
• Talk to someone—your priest, a friend, a youth minister. You don’t have to carry this alone.

One day, maybe not soon, you’ll look back and see that God was with you all along. Maybe not in the way you expected. But He never left you.

So now let’s talk. Have you ever felt like God was silent? What did you do? What helped? What didn’t? How did it affect your faith? It’s okay to be real here. You’re not alone.

Before you begin, remind your group that this is a space for honest and respectful sharing. No one is forced to talk, but everyone is invited. It’s okay to ask questions. It’s okay not to have answers. Try to really listen to each other. You don’t need to fix anyone’s struggle—just be present.

• Have you ever prayed and felt like nothing happened? What was that like?
• When God seems silent, what thoughts or feelings do you have?
• Do you think it’s okay to tell God you’re frustrated or angry? Why or why not?
• What helps you keep praying when you don’t feel anything?
• Have you ever seen God work in your life after a long time of waiting?
• What are some things that make it hard to trust God?
• Is there a time when someone else helped you keep your faith during a hard time?
• What is something you can do this week to stay close to God, even if He seems silent?
• How does it feel to know that even Jesus faced silence in the Garden?
• What do you think it means to say, “Not my will, but yours be done”?

Here’s your challenge for the week: stay close to God, even if He feels far away. When God seems silent, don’t stop showing up. This week, choose one simple way each day to say, “God, I’m still here.” It doesn’t have to be big or perfect. Just real.

You can start by praying one short and honest prayer each day—something like “Help me trust you” or “I feel nothing, but I’m still talking to you.” Or try reading one Psalm a day, especially the ones where people ask God, “Where are you?” If you like writing, take five minutes to journal your thoughts to God, even if they’re messy or confused. He hears it all.

Before beginning the closing prayer activity, prepare a small basket or box and place it near a crucifix, statue, or another sacred space in the room. Make sure you have slips of paper and pens or pencils ready—enough for everyone. Explain to the group that this is a quiet and personal moment. Let them know they can write anything they want to say to God, even if it’s just one word or a question. Emphasize that no one will read what they write; this is just between them and God.

Now we’re going to take a moment to talk to God in our own words. You each have a small slip of paper. Take a minute and think about what you want to say to God right now. It can be a question, a feeling, a fear, or even just one word. It’s okay if you’re confused, hurt, or unsure. Write honestly. No one will read it. This is between you and God.

When you’re done, fold your paper and bring it forward. Place it in the basket near the crucifix or altar. This is a sign that even when God seems silent, we’re still reaching out. We’re still praying. We’re still here.

After they finish writing, invite them to walk up and place their folded papers in the basket. Keep the room quiet to help them stay focused. Once everyone has returned to their seats, lead the group in the closing prayer provided. Speak slowly and clearly, leaving small pauses between lines so they can reflect. This helps close the session with reverence and peace, reminding them that even when God seems silent, He still receives every word.

Let’s pray together now. You can close your eyes or look at the crucifix as we speak these words slowly:

Lord, when you seem silent, help us not to give up.
Teach us to wait with trust, even when we feel alone.
You know our hearts. You see our questions.
You understand the pain that silence brings.

Jesus, you were silent before your suffering.
You prayed in the Garden and felt sorrow and fear.
You know what it’s like to cry out and not hear a clear answer.
Be with us in our silence, too.

Help us to believe you are near, even when we can’t feel you.
Help us to keep praying, even when it’s hard.
Help us to trust your love, even in the quiet.
You are our God, and we are your children.

We give you our doubts, our hopes, and our silence.
And we say, like Jesus said,
Not our will, but yours be done.
Amen.

Themes

• Trusting in God’s timing: God often answers prayers in His own time, not ours. This can be hard, but it teaches us to rely on Him. Waiting with faith helps us grow closer to God.
• Honest prayer with God: We don’t need fancy words or perfect feelings to pray. God wants us to be real with Him. Even frustration and doubt can be brought to Him in prayer.
• Staying faithful in silence: When God seems silent, it doesn’t mean He is gone. Choosing to keep praying shows deep faith. God sees every moment, even when we feel nothing.
• Jesus understands our struggle: Jesus also faced silence in the Garden before He suffered. He asked the Father for help but trusted His will. We can follow His example when we feel alone.
• God always listens: Even if we don’t get what we want, God hears every prayer. He is never ignoring us. His love is constant, even when His voice feels quiet.
• Prayer is a relationship: Prayer is not just asking for things. It’s spending time with God, even in silence. Like any relationship, it grows through time and honesty.
• Learning to persevere: The widow in the Gospel didn’t give up. Jesus praised her persistence. This shows that we should not stop praying, even when answers are slow.
• Support from the Church: We are not meant to go through hard times alone. The Church, through community and the sacraments, helps us stay strong. We can find comfort in others who believe.
• Faith during hard times: Struggles do not mean our faith is weak. They are part of the journey. Faith means holding on, especially when things feel empty.
• Remembering God’s past help: Looking back helps us see how God has worked before. This gives us hope for now. Memory can keep our faith alive during silence.
• Saints faced silence too: Many saints felt that God seemed silent at times. St. Teresa of Calcutta, for example, went through long years of spiritual dryness. But she stayed faithful and kept serving.
• Silence has a purpose: Sometimes silence helps us listen better or grow deeper. God may be inviting us to a quiet trust. He may be working in hidden ways we can’t yet see.

Background Material

Many young people struggle with prayer, especially when it feels like nothing is happening. They may ask for something over and over and hear no answer. This can make them feel like God doesn’t care or isn’t listening. But silence in prayer is a common part of the spiritual life. Even saints and holy people have experienced it. The Catholic Church teaches that silence can be a time of growth, not a sign that something is wrong.

The Bible gives many examples of people who faced silence from God. Job is one of the clearest. He lost everything and cried out to God, but for a long time, he got no answer. Still, Job did not give up. He kept turning to God. Later, God spoke to him, but in a way Job did not expect. The Psalms are also full of this feeling. Psalm 13 says, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” This is a real and honest prayer. It shows us that God invites us to speak from the heart, even when we feel abandoned.

In the New Testament, Jesus also faced silence. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed with deep sorrow. He asked the Father to take the suffering away. But He ended with, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Jesus shows us that trust in God doesn’t always come with comfort. Sometimes it means choosing faith in the middle of fear and silence.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this clearly. It says, “Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our part. It always presupposes effort. The great figures of prayer of the Old Covenant before Christ, as well as the Mother of God, the saints, and he himself, all teach us this: prayer is a battle” (CCC 2725). When God seems silent, we are in that battle. We are fighting to stay close to God even when we feel nothing.

This lesson helps young people see that God’s silence is not the same as His absence. God is always near. He is working, even when we cannot feel Him. The story of the persistent widow in Luke 18 is a perfect example. She kept asking the unjust judge for help until he finally gave in. Jesus says that if even a judge like that listens, how much more will God hear us—because He loves us. But Jesus ends with a hard question: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” That’s the real challenge. Will we keep believing when God seems silent?

This lesson invites youth to talk about this honestly. It helps them see that silence in prayer is not a sign of failure. It’s something almost every believer faces. And through it, God is still at work—deeply and quietly.

Music Suggestions

• Be Still and Know and Know That I Am God by Tom Booth
• In Every Age by Janèt Sullivan Whitaker
• Sacred Silence by Tom Booth
• Your Promises by Elevation Worship

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