
Have you waited for a prayer for a long time?
Have you asked God why your prayer has not been answered?
Have you ever wondered if God has forgotten your prayer?
In our world of instant gratification, our timing rarely matches God’s timing. We expect God to answer our prayers in our way, in our timing. And when God fall short of our expectation, we are disappointed with Him. For me, waiting on God’s timing is a constant struggle as I wonder if He has forgotten about my prayer. I am usually tempted to wonder if I have heard God “right” and start doubting.
God Prepares us while we wait
What we don’t realize is that God’s timing has a purpose – He is preparing us through a season of reflection, growth and sometimes, suffering. Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness before God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” (Lamentations 3:25)
God Trains us in the delay
What seems like a delay in our prayer is actually a training ground for God to teach us patience, trust and wisdom. Joseph endured betrayal, slavery and imprisonment for 13 years before he was promoted to be the second-in-command in Egypt.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)
The Longer the journey, the greater the Purpose
Like any travels that we prepare for, the further and longer the journey, the more we have to prepare for it. Similarly, the greater the purpose, the longer God prepares us. If you feel like you’re in a season of waiting, trust that God is orchestrating His plan behind the scene. He is preparing you because your journey is worth the wait. David was anointed as king as a teenager, but had to wait years – facing battles, rejection and hardship – before taking the throne as king.
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
This is my invitation to you today: trust that God is preparing you for something far greater than you can imagine.