We pray. We wait.
We repeat.
We pray. We wait.
We repeat...
What's on your waiting list of prayers? I call this my list of Not Yets.
The waiting period of prayer is labor, and this labor builds strength. We may think that we would prefer to just have our answers without the strength-training, but God loves us too much to give us whatever we want.
It is possible for an adult to be just as spoiled as a toddler.
Parents know what happens when they let toddlers have their way. It's chaos and crabbiness. We are grown up toddlers if we are only happy when things are going our way. Waiting and praying through some very uncomfortable situations is "wait training" at its best. We wait. We grow. We learn how to patiently endure, and then the next waiting period doesn't seem as hard.
It is possible for an adult to be just as spoiled as a toddler.
Parents know what happens when they let toddlers have their way. It's chaos and crabbiness. We are grown up toddlers if we are only happy when things are going our way. Waiting and praying through some very uncomfortable situations is "wait training" at its best. We wait. We grow. We learn how to patiently endure, and then the next waiting period doesn't seem as hard.
"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." (Psalm 27:14)
The list of Not Yets is often filled with people and circumstances that matter to us most. We are not taking these prayer requests lightly, and have often soaked a pillow with tears while praying...and waiting. We know that God answers prayer in the manner and timing that He deems best, and we realize that can't rush Him. It's just challenging to wait for answers to things that weigh so heavily on our hearts.
God is building our strength along with good courage while we pray and wait. We may imagine that it would be easier to just put in a prayer request by 10 a.m. and have the answer by 4 p.m., but having our answers on demand would train us to expect life to be easy. Life is not an endless series of easy paths. Extended times of prayer are also extended times spent with God. We want a stronger relationship with God, so we need to learn to accept that sometimes that depth is developed in the dark and needy times.
God is building our strength along with good courage while we pray and wait. We may imagine that it would be easier to just put in a prayer request by 10 a.m. and have the answer by 4 p.m., but having our answers on demand would train us to expect life to be easy. Life is not an endless series of easy paths. Extended times of prayer are also extended times spent with God. We want a stronger relationship with God, so we need to learn to accept that sometimes that depth is developed in the dark and needy times.
What about those times when the answer seems to be "no"? It may actually be a different "yes." When I was praying for my husband Norman to be healed from cancer, I really meant this: "Dear Lord, please heal my Norman and spare his life." God's answer was to heal my Norman by taking him where there is no cancer. A very different yes.
God hears and answers prayer repeatedly. We don't know how or when our particular answer will come, but we have not been forgotten. Until we have an answer, the best position is keep our sins confessed, keep our attitudes right, and trust God. He knows what He is doing, as well as when He will do it and why.
Keep praying. He hears you. And for loving reasons that only He knows, the answer right now is not yet. Pray on.
"Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me." (Psalm 27:7)
From Sarah R on FB: So good.
ReplyDeleteFrom Lisa M on FB: Oh my goodness!! This was such a blessing to my heart and my weary spirit!! Thank you, Mrs. Francie Taylor for sharing this with us!!
ReplyDeleteFrom Kim M on FB: Thank you Mrs Francie Taylor!! This was exactly what I needed in my life.
ReplyDeleteFrom Melody H on FB: Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWaiting is difficult. Thankful we are mot alone. He is with us each wait of the way.
Thankful for your mych needed blessed thoughts bringing us back and keeping us where He wants us.
From Peggy A on FB: I definitely needed this as we've been dealing with health issues with my dear hubby the past few days. After all the tests, we have finally found out he has a slightly enlarged aorta. God knows and I am learning to have to trust Him and wait on Him to take care of it. Love you Francie!!
ReplyDeleteFrom Ann M on FB: I would recognize those beautiful hands anywhere.
ReplyDeleteFrom Barbara C on FB: Oh that is good. Thank you Ms. Francie.
ReplyDeleteFrom Jill T on FB: The ”not yets” are so hard. And sometimes flesh gets in the way of ”not my will but thine.” Still, your words are so true. And waiting is hard. But God is good.
ReplyDeleteFrom Tonia T on FB: Love you!
ReplyDeleteFrom Debbie A on FB: Thank you! That’s exactly what I’ve been going through and you’ve encouraged me today.
ReplyDeleteFrom Renee L on FB: Thanks
ReplyDeleteFrom Nana H on FB: Francie that was such a blessing to read. God always knows what I need and when to have it for me. Waiting is hard and not knowing what His answer is, is trying but this reminder has such truth. Our ways are not always His ways. Thank you for this reminder. Hugs Sister.
ReplyDeleteFrom Angel B on FB: Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteFrom Freda W on FB: Beautiful! We're thankful for you, dear lady.
ReplyDeleteFrom Marilee F on FB: If you wait patiently then when the answer comes you can see God’s hand in everything that has led up to the answer and it is so sweet.
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