How Can I Keep Faith While Waiting On God To Answer Prayer?

Growing up, I often asked myself impatiently, “How can I keep faith while waiting on God to answer prayers?” As I have grown older (and hopefully wiser), God has shown me through His Word how to wait on His timing. Only God can see the big picture. He has planned out everything to intertwine perfectly in the end. Part of His plan includes working through our prayers. We pray, yet we doubt He hears us. He has promised, however, to hear His children. Although He hears us, He doesn’t always give the response we expect or the answer on our timetable. In God’s eyes, it is only a breath. "His time is not our time"2 Peter 3:8. When waiting on God to answer prayers, we must believe God will answer. Not believing is the biggest obstacle to overcome in praying and waiting. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, "for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind" James 1:6-7. While waiting on God to answer prayers, take a look at your blessings. Are you breathing? Then, rejoice in life! Do you see the blue sky or even a cloudy one? Honor God for the ability to see. Can you hear the sound of the wind blowing through the trees or a child laughing? Praise God for hearing! We need to turn the wait into a treasure hunt for the blessings that we often take for granted. Keep a prayer journal, listing all your prayers with the date of request. Often lift up the requests to God, and record the date you received the answer. Never forget that answers come in God’s time -- not ours. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God has promised His children a hopeful future. Rest in God’s faithfulness for He surely will answer you according to His will.