Psalm 77:2-3,10-2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted.
3 When I remember God, I moan;
when I meditate, my spirit faints…10–I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
 
The Psalmist paints a view of trying to pray out of his depression, in that he is seeking God, yet his soul “refuses to be comforted”.  Which points to numerous reasons, maybe grieving a death, a betrayal, or just battling his own mind in how he is viewing life.  Either way, he is seeking God and hasn’t found the joy he is looking for…
As much as we like to think prayer fixes all things, that usually leaves us like the Psalmist, with an outstretched hand in seeking God, yet at times still not comforted.  Because our desire is to be instantly comforted, sometimes the extra effort to “think ourselves” into gratitude, of all of God’s wondrous works can seem too burdensome, especially if we are already depressed…
But the Psalmist reminds us that it isn’t always “instant prayers” being answered that is going to keep us faithful.  But it is going to be a desire to encourage ourselves with what God has already done, or “laboring” in prayer and communion with Him (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  So when things don’t change, the way we think about our situation has to change, and how good God has been to us…
Admittedly there are times that I am so tired of praying about things that haven’t changed, or maybe won’t change, that I can find myself disheartened like the Psalmist.  But the Lord reminds me that though present things I pray about may not be changing, I cannot ignore the reality of God’s goodness and mercy towards me.  The Lord is really just teaching me how to walk by greater faith in prayer, by being reminded that He is my joy, not in situations changing from prayers being answered.(Nehemiah 8:10)
In His Love, Ld