27
Oct '25
Praying Fervently but Waiting Patiently
27
Oct '25
Introduction: We want it NOW! So impatient!! But learning to “wait” on God’s timing is so critical. Due to our impatience, either we give up praying or take things in our own hands instead of depending on our Lord to work.
Does this make sense? Are you in this dilemma? So what can you do?
Does this make sense? Are you in this dilemma? So what can you do?
Here are some guidelines that hopefully will help you:
1. Understand that at times there may be spiritual opposition to answered prayer! (Daniel 10:12–13) – “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days.”
Perhaps you have been praying for years for a wayward child, a lost relative, a broken relationship, or even a financial goal. Regardless of what you are praying for, as long as it is in God’s will, it can be challenging to “hang in there”! So be patient. Wait. But wait in faith. After all, while we are focused on the changes we are asking our Lord Jesus to do, His purpose is to CHANGE us in the process. With that in mind, maybe we need to readjust our focus! Your thoughts?
2. Remember persevering in prayer helps build FAITH muscles! (1 Kings 18:42–45) – “And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain.”
Did you notice it was the SEVENTH time the rain finally fell? How many of us would have quit praying after three times? Remember. While we have our ultimate goal in the ANSWER to our prayers, God has in mind FAITH and CHARACTER building in His children through the process of the answer, whether it takes days, weeks, months, or years. Why? So that we can become more USABLE in order to become more USEFUL.
3. When feeling TEMPTED to give up praying, keep in mind that JESUS understands! (Hebrews 4:15–16) – “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Aren’t you glad that JESUS understands? Don’t forget that He lived as a man—the Godman—but faced temptations like we do and yet without sin. Therefore, He can relate. We serve a God that has overcome every temptation, who became obedient even unto death—the death of the cross. Here again, He overcame death by rising from the grave. Guess what? He now gives us His resurrection power to overcome the temptations we face. And in the context of prayer, that should give us boldness, yet humbleness to approach our FATHER’S throne of GRACE! Go ahead.
Conclusion: Where are you at? How are you doing? Impatient? Distracted? Or after reading this devotion are you more determined to PRAY with PERSEVERANCE and PATIENCE? PRAYER WORKS if you WORK it!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese