One of the great disciplines of prayer is “waiting on God for His answer.” God says to us “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3). So we pray and God answers our prayers. No time line given when answers will be forth coming. An important point to consider is that God answers prayers in accordance to His will and purpose. In the model prayer Jesus taught His disciples, it says “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Also, God’s timing must always be right because He alone knows the end from the beginning in everything.
Jesus told a parable about an unjust judge.”And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. “And there was widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ “For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, “Though I neither fear God nor respect man, “ ‘yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ “ And the Lord said ”Hear what the hear what the unrighteous judge says, “And will not God give justice to his elect who cry to him day and night?” (Luke 18:1-7). Jesus is instructing us to “pray and not lose heart.”
The point is to keep on praying until we hear from God. Paul wrote, “Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:17,18). For some, it may be easy to lose heart and actually give up praying because they lack the patience to wait and keep trusting God for the outcome. However, let us take God at His word, “casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). And you believe in the power of prayer, you will never lose heart.
“Peay without ceasing”. One may ask, how is this possible? The problem is that we can hardly find the time to pray. Therefore, we must take the time to pray. Let’s be honest before God, we take the time to do this or that, go hither, and yon, as it suits us. No one can deny that many of us work for a living. We also need time to take care of important matters. However, each day has 24 hours, and each week has 168 hours. Can’t we plan times for prayer? We can also seek God’s help in the planning process. Persistence in prayer always pays high spiritual dividends. Why not cash in?
It cannot be over emphasized that we are to live our lives in full dependence on Almighty God, who says, “Apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Physical life comes from God because “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Our Lord Jesus devoted much of His earthly time for prayer and so should we. Just before going to the cross, Jesus withdrew Himself from His disciples to pray. There are many recorded instances in the gospels that prove Jesus took time to pray. He is absolutely our greatest example of prayer.
Remember, we communicate with God through prayer. Hence, there is so much emphasis on prayer in the scriptures. The apostle James states, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16). Unlimited power is available to us who are intent on seeking God’s face in prayer. King David wrote about his commitment to prayer, “Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek” (Psalm 27:7,8). Note David’s willing obedience in response to God’s request. “your face, LORD do I seek.”
Many years ago Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote the following: “Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice Rise like a fountain for me night and day. For what are men better than sheep or goats That nourish a blind life within the brain, If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer Both for themselves and those who call them friend?” (Alfred Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate of Great Britain, 1809-1892). No doubt, Tennyson understood the need and value of prayer. And so should all God’s children. Since He invites us to pray, let us keep on praying, no matter how long it takes for the answers. Be patient. God is certain to answer you.