PATIENT IN PRAYER
“I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry” (Psalm 40:1).
I’ve heard it said, patience is a virtue that carries a lot of wait. Or is it carrying a lot of weight? Maybe it’s both, depending on the circumstance. No one likes to wait: waiting for an appointment, waiting in traffic, waiting for the right job opportunity—the list goes on. Having patience may involve carrying the “weight” of a burden as we wait. He tells us to “cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7) and to “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Patience isn’t easy, but as Romans 12 says, be faithful in prayer.
As you pray, what if the Holy Spirit is saying no to your timing? We personally waited years for a baby, struggling with infertility and the desire to have a family. We prayed and were private about it for a long while until we finally opened up to our friends and family for their prayers too. Fast forward and shortly after that, He gave us not only 1 but 3 children to raise for Him. Looking back, we can see that His timing for the circumstances of our lives was far superior. Although painful, His choice and timing was much better than ours.
What are you waiting for? For a baby like we were? The right career opportunity? A better relationship with a family member or friend, or good medical test results in the battle of illness? Trust He has a beautiful plan and is turning to you and hearing your cries. He is there and close by. He’s not delaying, only waiting with you for the right circumstances and experiences to take place to make you ready for His best.
I’m also convicted that I keep Him waiting! Waiting to come to Him in quiet time, delaying in coming to Him in worship, devotion, prayer, and thanksgiving! It’s easy to get busy and mix up priorities and then cry out when things don’t go our way. God is so patient and in return, let’s patiently persevere in prayer back to Him. Let’s listen and wait for His plan and perfect timing to unfold. And as we wait, claim Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” There’s no need to struggle to find patience within ourselves. His Word says when we call upon God, He gives us the strength to be patient.
Be strong, yet rest in the waiting, rest as we are praying. Rest, trust, and continue to pray. We can rest in the fact that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. Rest and trust Him in the weight of those burdens in what appears to be a slow response.
However, there may be times when He says no. When His will is not in alignment with our desires. In those times we need to trust Him for the outcome. Maybe it’s not about you as you wait for someone else; perhaps for a wayward child or loved one to return or come to Jesus? Or for a revival for our nation, our world?
Let’s continue to practice our patience through prayer and pray with our Palau team who are seeking revival and salvation for all as they proclaim Jesus to a hurting world. Pray with us on July 23 as we come together globally to hear the latest update from Andrew and Wendy and how we can be praying with and for them!
Patiently Praying,
Gail Stockamp
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His Word I put my hope” (Psalm 130:5).
PRAYER REPORT
PRAYER CALL
Join us for a special time of prayer on July 23, at 9 a.m. (PT).
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