The phrase “I used to pray for times like this” carries a weight that resonates deeply with anyone who’s ever dared to dream. It’s a lyric, a mantra, a quiet whisper in the heart of someone who’s fought through hardship to stand in a moment of victory. For me, it’s more than just words—it’s a testament to the journey of longing, resilience, and the sweet reward of answered prayers. This is my story, a reflection on the times I prayed for and the lessons I learned along the way.
The Seeds of a Dream
A Childhood of Quiet Hopes
Growing up, I was the kid who stared out the window, lost in thought, imagining a life bigger than the one I knew. My family didn’t have much—money was tight, and opportunities felt like distant stars. But I had dreams, vivid and unrelenting. I’d lie awake at night, whispering prayers into the dark, asking for a future where I could be free, successful, and happy. “God, just give me a chance,” I’d say, clutching the worn edges of my blanket.
Those prayers weren’t grand or specific. I didn’t ask for mansions or fame. I just wanted something better—a life where I could breathe without the weight of worry. I wanted to make my parents proud, to lift the burden off their shoulders, and to prove to myself that I could rise above the circumstances I was born into.
The Power of Small Beginnings
Looking back, I realize those quiet moments of prayer were the seeds of everything I’ve achieved. They weren’t just wishes; they were commitments to myself. Each whispered hope was a promise to keep going, to work harder, to never let the fire in my chest burn out. I didn’t know it then, but those prayers were shaping me, teaching me patience and perseverance long before I understood their value.
The Grind: When Prayers Meet Hard Work
The Struggle Was Real
If prayers alone could move mountains, I’d have been living on a mountaintop by age 18. But life doesn’t work that way. The years after high school were a blur of setbacks and small victories. I juggled part-time jobs, late-night study sessions, and the constant pressure to “make it.” There were moments when I doubted if my prayers were even being heard. Bills piled up, rejections stung, and the gap between my reality and my dreams felt like an uncrossable chasm.
I remember one particularly low moment, sitting in my cramped apartment, staring at a rejection email from a job I’d poured my heart into. Tears stung my eyes as I whispered, “I used to pray for times like this?” It felt like a cruel irony. But in that moment, something shifted. I realized that the “times” I’d prayed for weren’t just about success—they were about growth. The struggle was part of the answered prayer, molding me into someone stronger than I’d ever imagined.
The Hustle That Built Me
Every late night, every sacrifice, every “no” that pushed me to try again—it all added up. I started small, taking freelance gigs to build my portfolio, networking with anyone who’d give me five minutes, and learning skills I never thought I’d need. I wasn’t just chasing a dream; I was building a foundation. The prayers I’d sent up as a kid were being answered, not with a sudden windfall, but with opportunities to prove myself.
I landed my first big break after months of pitching ideas to a local startup. They took a chance on me, and that project became the cornerstone of my career. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was mine. For the first time, I felt the truth of those words: “I used to pray for times like this.” The long hours, the self-doubt, the grind—it was all worth it for that moment of standing in my truth, knowing I was on my way.
The Moment of Arrival
When Dreams Become Reality
Fast forward a few years, and my life looks nothing like it did back then. I’m not saying I’ve “made it” in some ultimate sense—there’s always more to achieve—but I’m living a life I once only dreamed of. I have a career I love, a home I’m proud of, and the ability to give back to my family in ways I never thought possible. The kid who prayed for “something better” is now standing in the answered prayer.
One of my favorite moments was surprising my parents with a trip they’d always talked about but could never afford. Watching their faces light up, knowing I’d made their dream come true, was worth every sleepless night. That was a “times like this” moment—a tangible reminder that the prayers of my younger self had been heard.
Gratitude as a Way of Life
Standing in these moments of triumph, I’ve learned that gratitude is the key to truly appreciating them. It’s easy to get caught up in the next goal, the next milestone, but pausing to say “thank you” keeps me grounded. I thank God, the universe, and my younger self for never giving up. I thank the people who believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. And I thank the struggles, because they made the victories so much sweeter.
Gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring the challenges still ahead. It means recognizing that every step of the journey—good and bad—has brought me to this moment. It’s a practice I carry with me, whispering “I used to pray for times like this” not just in moments of joy, but in moments of growth and learning.
Lessons from the Journey
Faith Is a Muscle
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that faith isn’t a one-time act—it’s a muscle you build over time. The prayers I said as a kid weren’t answered overnight. They required me to show up, to trust the process, and to keep believing even when the odds felt stacked against me. Faith meant taking risks, like quitting a stable job to pursue my passion, or investing in myself when I had no guarantee of success.
That faith has carried me through moments of doubt and fear. It’s what keeps me going when new challenges arise, reminding me that the same God, universe, or inner strength that answered my prayers before will do it again.
Resilience Is Non-Negotiable
If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: resilience is your superpower. The ability to get back up after a fall, to keep pushing when the world says “no,” is what separates dreams from reality. Every rejection, every failure, was a chance to grow stronger. I learned to see setbacks not as roadblocks, but as detours leading me to where I was meant to be.
Community Matters
No one achieves their dreams alone. Along the way, I was lifted up by mentors, friends, and even strangers who saw something in me. Their encouragement, advice, and sometimes just a listening ear made all the difference. I’ve made it a point to pay it forward, mentoring others who are where I once was, because I know the power of a kind word or a helping hand.
Living the Prayer Every Day
Redefining Success
As I’ve grown, my definition of “times like this” has evolved. It’s not just about career wins or material gains. It’s about the freedom to live authentically, to love deeply, and to make a difference. Success is waking up excited about the day ahead, knowing I’m living in alignment with my purpose.
I still pray, but my prayers have changed. Now, I ask for wisdom, for strength to keep growing, and for the courage to face whatever comes next. I pray for the people I love, for the world to be kinder, and for the chance to keep chasing new dreams.
The Legacy of a Prayer
Looking back, I realize that “I used to pray for times like this” isn’t just about my story—it’s about the universal human experience of longing for something more. We all have prayers, whether we whisper them to a higher power, write them in a journal, or carry them in our hearts. Those prayers shape us, guide us, and remind us that we’re capable of more than we know.
My hope is that my story inspires someone else to keep praying, keep working, and keep believing. The times you’re praying for—they’re coming. They might not look exactly as you imagined, but they’ll be beautiful in their own way. And when you stand in those moments, you’ll feel the truth of those words: “I used to pray for times like this.”
A Call to Reflect
What Are You Praying For?
Take a moment to think about the prayers you’re carrying today. What do you long for? What “times like this” are you dreaming of? Write them down, speak them out loud, or hold them close. Those prayers are the seeds of your future, and every step you take toward them is an act of faith.
Celebrate the Journey
Don’t wait for the big moments to celebrate. Find joy in the small victories—the late nights that turn into breakthroughs, the connections that spark new opportunities, the quiet moments of clarity. Every step is part of the answered prayer, and every moment is a chance to say, “I’m getting there.”
As I write this, I’m filled with gratitude for the journey that brought me here. The kid who prayed for “something better” is still inside me, dreaming new dreams and whispering new prayers. The times I prayed for have become my reality, but the journey doesn’t end. There are new mountains to climb, new prayers to say, and new moments to cherish.
“I used to pray for times like this” is more than a reflection on the past—it’s a celebration of the present and a promise for the future. It’s a reminder that no dream is too big, no prayer too small, and no journey too long. So keep praying, keep pushing, and when you stand in your moment of triumph, don’t forget to look back and smile at the person who dared to dream it all.
