If you’ve ever felt like giving up on something you’ve always wanted because you’ve waited for so long it seems you’ll never have it, you’re not alone. Some people have given up on their dream careers because they
think they’re now too old to go to college. Some people have given up on their kids because there’s been no progress in their relationship for many years.
Sometimes we forget that God’s timing is different from ours. His timing is perfect. Never early or late. Yes, He may take a while to answer our prayers sometimes, with years and even decades rolling on, but through the ups and downs of life, God has promised He will never leave us, and He will make everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him”
– (1 John 5:14-15).
Psalm 9:10
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you”
Zechariah and Elizabeth’s amazing miracle
The story of the Jewish high priest Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, is powerful and inspiring. Recorded in Luke 1, it tells us that Zechariah and Elizabeth obeyed the word of God and lived their lives pleasing to Him. However, the couple was very old and unable to have any children, so they cried out to God and He heard them.
One day an angel appeared to Zechariah and said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer
has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth.” John the Baptist was born at the perfect time because he became the forerunner of Jesus.
Are you discouraged? Have you prayed and prayed and still not received an answer? If you have prayed according to God’s will then you have to believe that He heard you. His word says in Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Characteristics of effective prayer
It’s also important to note that not all prayers get God’s attention. Here are three key characteristics of effective prayer:
Pray in line with God’s will: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask
anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15).
How do we pray according to God’s will? By incorporating scriptural prayers into our own prayer lists. How did the apostles pray? How did Jesus pray? The Lord’s Prayer is one of many in the Bible that teaches us how to pray effectively and according to the will of God.
Trust Him: “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you” (Psalm 9:10). When you trust in the Lord you will constantly experience miracles. He’s known for making dry bones rise again and creating rivers in the desert. Trust in His power as well as His timing. Understand that no matter what life throws at you, He won’t leave you. Let your trust for God speak out in your communication with Him. It will help boost your faith and make your prayers more powerful.
Have faith: “And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do
not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive’” (Matthew 21:21-22).
Jesus taught us that there’s no limit to what we can accomplish with faith-filled prayers. We can move mountains. We can heal the sick, raise the dead, and make our dreams come true.
Faith will turn the impossible into the possible.
Conclusion
What’s your situation? What’s giving you sleepless nights? What have you been asking God for? Don’t get tired of talking to Him about it. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Put it all at His feet—your fears and worries, your hopes and dreams.
Talk to Him in faith and believe that He has heard you. Don’t give up. It’s not too late to receive that healing, that promotion, or for your lost child to come back home. Stand firm in faith and get ready; God is delivering blessings to your door.
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