Have you ever prayed for something or someone so long that you get discouraged?
We can hold preconceived thoughts on how and when and why God should answer our prayers. We can nicely explain the scenarios out to God (as if He didn’t know) and then let Him know what the best scenario would be and how it should best resolve to be. While I don’t for a second think there’s anything wrong with putting our requests before God with details and specific outcomes we’d prefer, I do think our requests need to come in check when our attitude/faith is discouraged because we’re not getting what we want when we want it.
Our faith can be tested when prayers aren’t answered how we want. But questioning the very existence of God because He’s not abiding by OUR plans (sounds extreme, but if you’re like me, you’ve likely been there), shouldn’t be a place we end up. When our prayers take longer to get answered than we’d like, I’m learning that God often isn’t just focused on answering our prayers, He’s changing us throughout the process. He’s refining us. He’s preparing us for the answered prayer.
Paul says we should “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” – Colossians 4:2. Our persistence is an expression of our faith: that we do indeed believe that God answers prayer, and that we trust Him to answer them how He sees best.
Be devoted to prayer.
Prayer is a commitment. It takes effort to intentionally set aside time to talk to God, and to listen for His response.
Keep an alert mind.
It takes an attentive mind to focus, and pour out our requests before the Lord, and an alert mind to be watchful of what He may be doing in us and around us.
Keep a thankful heart.
Our heart sets the stage for the outpouring of our attitude. If God never did another thing for us, would we be thankful for all He’s done? Can we look at our day and see all that He’s showered us with and provided for us?
Isn’t it amazing that God would allow us to partner with Him in prayer? That He would love us enough to hear our thoughts and desires and requests for others.?!
So if you’ve been praying for something or someone for a while, and you’ve felt some discouragement in hearing from God, may you be encouraged today to remain devoted, to keep an alert mind, and a thankful heart. Perhaps the delay, or slow process, may be God working it all out on your behalf in a better way than you ever could have imagined.
You are loved.
And He is for you.
Remain Devoted.
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