Pray Without Losing Heart

Don’t be discouraged when God’s answers don’t come as quickly as you want—He is up to something good.

One of the most difficult aspects of prayer is perseverance. Not only do our newly made commitments to be more consistent often fail; our willingness to continue petitioning the Lord also tends to wane with time when answers aren’t forthcoming. But God’s promise to answer His children’s prayers hasn’t proven false—even if we don’t see results as soon as we hoped.

The Lord, who is sovereign over heaven and earth, works everything according to His purposes. With our limited human understanding, we don’t always know whether our petitions fit God’s plan or timetable. But whether He grants our requests or not, we can be certain that His way and timing are always best and for our good.

It’s in the wait that the Lord accomplishes spiritual work in our life—training us to trust Him in the delays, rest in His wisdom to decide what’s best, and persevere in prayer as He commands. To demand immediate answers to our requests would be to act like spiritual toddlers. The ability to wait is a sign of maturity, and that’s what God desires for us. So keep praying, be patient, and persevere, because in the process, you’re becoming more like Christ.

Luke 18:1-8

Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,

saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man.

`There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying,Give me legal protection from my opponent.’

`For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself,Even though I do not fear God nor respect man,

yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.'”

And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said;

now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?

“I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”