Do you have prayers that have been on your lips and heart for a long time? You are in good company. The Bible is full of people who experienced the same thing. It is easy to become discouraged or give in to doubt. I can wonder if there is something wrong with me that God isn’t answering, but when faced with this, I like to remind myself of those who have faced similar situations.
Hannah prayed “year after year” for a son.
Sarah waited over 25 years for the fulfillment of God’s promised answer of a child.
Simeon waited prayerfully with anticipation for His Messiah as did Anna, who was in the Temple daily for decades.
Was there something each of these people did to at last provoke their answer? No, God chose to answer in His timing and according to His will. He answered because of who He is, not because of what they had done or didn’t do.
Elizabeth and Zachariah were barren, a condition often scrutinized in their day as resulting from a lack of obedience. Maybe they, too, wondered if they had done something wrong. But the Bible is clear:
Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. Luke 1:6-7
God did not finally answer Zachariah and Elizabeth’s prayer because they suddenly became obedient. God gave Elizabeth a son after a lifetime of prayer and obedience. And he was to be named John, meaning God is gracious. Elizabeth and Zachariah had their prayer answered because … John, God is gracious.
As I pray, my patience needs to be directed at Him who loves me and has a plan. And not directed at awaiting any special circumstance to line up. It is God who chooses the time and manner of His answer. It doesn’t matter if the time seems too late or if conditions seem impossible, if God wills, it will be done when He declares. And whatever His answer, it is because He is gracious.
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