No one really likes to wait, especially when it’s for something that we think we need right now. As Christians we are always told to exercise patience (Psalm 27:14) not only because it is one of the fruits of the Spirit but also because it is just expected of us. Growing up I always heard the phrase “Patience is a virtue” and took that to be a characteristic that a proper young lady and good Christian should always have.
However, practicing patience is sometimes easier said than done. When it comes to having our prayers answered by God we always feel, or at least I do, that the answer should come quickly and exactly the way we imagined it would. I will be the first to admit that I have had a lot of prayers answered by God and trust me, not all answers were what I expected but God does answer prayer.
Although some of our prayers are answered quickly, life quickly teaches us that patience is indeed a part of the process. When your children come and ask you for something they need or want sometimes the request is answered right away and sometimes they must wait. The wait doesn’t change the level of your love for them, and it is the same with God, our heavenly Father. Here are 5 things I learnt to do while waiting on an answer from God.
#1 Continue to Pray
I know this one can be quite controversial because we are often told by well-meaning Christians to pray about it and leave it there. This means that once you pray about it there is no need to continue asking Him to fix, do, supply etc. I was so conscious of this as a young Christian, trying to remember not to ask God the same thing too many times, as if He would get annoyed at me for doing so. As I grew in my faith and read the story of The Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) I understood that although God knows our needs because He is ‘All knowing’, He wants us to continue asking and seeking Him for the answers to our prayers.
Prayer opens the communication between the Creator and the created. It is intimate time spent with God who delights in you (Psalm 147:11). Your persistence in continued prayer shows Him how much you trust and rely on Him for the answer, even an answer that is delayed. In Daniel 10, Daniel had been praying and fasting for 21 days regarding the end to the exile of God’s people. It was not until Daniel 10:12 that he was told that his prayer had been answered from the first day he prayed.
Another example of persistent prayer comes to us from 1 Samuel where we are told about a barren woman named Hannah who desperately wanted a son. Although some may argue that the Bible never specifically states that she prayed persistently or more than once for a son, we can easily draw this conclusion. We are told that Elkanah her husband has two wives and year after year (1 Samuel 1:3) he went with his two wives from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. Hannah was constantly taunted by Peninnah, the other wife, because she had no children. This taunting was taking an emotional toll on Hannah and in 1 Samuel 1:10 we are told, how in her deep anguish, she prayed to the Lord and made a vow to Him. 1 Samuel 1:12 tells us that Hannah kept on praying to the Lord which is our first indication of her persistence in prayer. 1 Samuel 1:13 tells us how she prayed, in her heart, although her lips were moving. This indicates to me that Hannah had an intimate relationship with God because she knew that even though her words were not heard by man, God who knows the hearts of mankind, heard her prayer. Her persistence pays off and in 1 Samuel 1:20 we are told that Hannah’s prayer is fully answered.
#2 Study God’s Word
When we are feeling like our prayers are not being answered or when we feel faithless, it is time to dive even deeper into God’s word. Find scriptures that speak to your specific situation or prayer request. I find that the Bible has something to say on every important matter. So, if you are praying for healing, financial breakthrough, comfort, wisdom, to name a few, the Bible can help with that.
If you are able to find a quiet place to read your Bible, practice saying some of the scriptures out loud. This will help you to hear the word (Romans 10:17) and retain it. I like to look up the definitions of words when I am studying, even the ones I think I know. When you see the actual definition of a word it further drives home the meaning and how it applies to your request of God. This is soo much easier to do nowadays with smart phones where you have the option to complete a web search of the word by simply highlighting the word and selecting ‘websearch’. I also like to read the passage using several versions of the Bible which helps tremendously in understanding what you are reading.
2 Timothy 2:15-22 admonishes us to study the word not only for the benefit of ourselves but so that we can also correctly teach it to others. This brings me to my third point.
#3 Help Someone Else
While waiting on God to answer a prayer look for opportunities to help someone along the way. Mary Rose McGeady was a Catholic nun who said “There is no greater joy, nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life”. I know this can be a lot to ask sometimes. We can’t fathom how we can possibly help someone else when we are in need ourselves.
It reminds me of the story of the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings. She was in a crisis and needed provisions met for her and her son. When Elijah showed up with his request for food it literally seemed impossible for her to help since she was down to her last with anticipation of death after that. I am certain that woman looked at him as if he were out of his mind. In fact, Elijah had to give her a word from God (1 Kings 17: 14) to convince her to prepare her last provisions for him after which she was blessed with a miraculous endless supply of flour and oil. We even see that for her obedience her son was bought back to life after he died of an illness (1 Kings 17:17-22). Talk about an added perk!
While we may not be called upon to do something so drastic as to give our last meal to a stranger, Proverbs 11:25 tells us that whoever refreshes others will themselves be refreshed. Although we should not help others with the expectation of receiving anything back from the person we helped (Luke 6:35-36, Hebrews 13:16), when we help others we help ourselves, even if it only serves to fulfil us while we wait on an answered prayer.
#4 Give Thanks
I am sure you are wondering “Why give thanks when the prayer hasn’t been answered yet?”. Besides the Bible instructing us to do so (1 Thessalonians 5:18), an attitude of gratitude is just good for the soul. I don’t think there is one religion or theology that does not practice some form of gratefulness. In fact, thankfulness is mentioned more than 100 times in the bible.
When we go to God with a grateful heart, we are not only thanking Him for the answer to come, but also for all that He has already done for us and what He will do in the future. We are letting Him know that even if the answer does not come the way we expect, we trust He will do the best thing for us according to His word in Romans 8:28 and His perfect will.
Gratitude brings peace to our hearts while we wait and takes away the fear and anxiousness we may otherwise feel. Philippians 4:6-7 describes it as a peace that transcends all human understanding. I certainly want that kind of peace in my life.
#5 Talk to Other Believers
It is important to have a few Christian friends that we can talk to. Notice I said a few, because you must be selective about who you share your good, bad and ugly days with. Proverbs 12:26 tells us to choose our friends wisely. This even applies to Christian friends. You must realize that not everyone’s faith or spiritual maturity is at the same level. That is not a terrible thing because we know that we are all given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3) but 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, when talking about the gifts of the Spirit, talks about the gift of faith which indicates another level of faith, perhaps a stronger faith.
When you are waiting on God to answer a prayer, there may be times when you feel discouraged. These are the times when having another human listening ear who knows God’s word and who can perhaps share some personal testimony with you, will be a great asset. Talk to them about how you are feeling. Make sure it is someone that you can be authentic and honest with; someone who will give you Godly advice and keep your business confidential if that is your request. Paul told the Thessalonians this in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 where he advised them to encourage one another. Let’s face it, sometimes we just need someone to talk to!
Yes, waiting on God to answer your prayer can be difficult but I encourage you to be persistent. Remind yourself and Him of His word through continuous study and look for opportunities to help someone along the way. Continue giving Him thanks despite how you feel and when the waiting game gets a bit discouraging, call a friend who can help, even if all you want them to do is listen….. hmmm….. maybe over a cup of tea!