Last week was proof that God answers specific prayers. This week has caused me to dwell on another aspect of the truth. Sunday night's Bible study centered on 2 Cor. 12:1-10: Paul's vision in heaven, his humbling by the thorn, and his strengthening by God's grace. So, I prayed that this week I might see the reality of that gracious strength in my own life. Monday morning, I woke up with achy wrists that have continued their complaining since. By Monday evening, the stressful conglomeration of papers, performances and fatigue had surfaced. And then I realized, "Oh, maybe this is a specific answer." :) Dwelling on the matter of prayer, the Lord has caused me to see that the issue is not so much the specific prayer, nor the specific answer. It is the fact that I can pray, and KNOW that God will answer according to His sovereign, wise, and loving plan (both the nature and the timing of the answer). My rejoicing is not to be simply in the fact that I receive something I desire, but more importantly that I have a God who delights in hearing me, and who deserves praise regardless of the answer. In light of this, I am to "pray without ceasing"--develop the habit of uninterrupted practice of prayer regarding ALL matters--because the issue goes far beyond prayer material.
Recently, I have seen God answer specific things promptly. Yet I also pray for things that seem to have failed to reach their destination. But this is not a biblical understanding of prayer. God does hear. God does answer. God is all-deserving of all glory regardless of the answer or timing.
"Wait on the LORD. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD!" Ps. 27:14
"Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly." Ps. 5:3 (NLT)
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