A lot of us love a quick fix. When we encounter a problem; we like to get it fixed quickly, and go on with our lives.
Especially in our prayer lives, we are prone to praying a “one and done” prayer. We hope to pray a heartfelt prayer, reach the throne of God, feel assurance in our hearts and then get the answer within a day or two.
But sometimes instead of a quick answer, we hear “wait.” Or even worse, no answer at all. Silence. I ran across this scripture this week which really struck me:
I’ve posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem.
Isaiah 62:6-7 MSG
Day and night they keep at it, praying, calling out,
reminding God to remember.
They are to give him no peace until he does what he said,
until he makes Jerusalem famous as the City of Praise.
God’s will for Jerusalem
This refers to praying for the deliverance of Israel. We know God’s will for His chosen people then was deliverance from Babylon, as well as later becoming the place from which Jesus will rule and reign in the Millennium. I don’t know why we must wait until the whole world knows Jerusalem as the City of Praise; but we are not there yet.
And so, we are instructed to remind the Lord, over and over.
The principle remains
Now, your special need might be something in addition to wanting to see the God’s kingdom fulfilled here on earth, but I believe the principle remains. If your desire is something you feel the Lord has promised in His word, then keep praying – day and night.
Isaiah says, “Remind God to remember.” It is okay to pray and ask more than once!
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This post was written in response to Five Minute Friday‘s prompt, “quick.” The post was written in 5 minutes; headings, scriptures and graphics took longer!
Sharing at Five Minute Friday, Grace & Truth, Tell His Story, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let’s Have Coffee
“Remind God to remember” – I like that! It’s tempting to be discouraged or impatient when we don’t get the answer we want, but we can take comfort that he DOES hear us. Visiting from FMF#11
I know, that phrase jumped out at me, too. God needs reminding? I think the point is He wants us to be in constant communication with Him. HE knows what He has promised, do we know?
Thank you for this good reminder to not keep silent. To pray and not give up!
Thanks for writing and sharing with the rest of us 🌸
This passage just struck me when I read it. Some feel you should pray once about something. If you ask more than once it is a lack of faith. But I don’t think so. Stories like the persistent widow and this scripture I just used tells me differently!
Thanks for dropping by, Lisa!
I prayed and prayed and prayed to God,
I really spent an awful lot
of time on this, and found it odd
to hear, ‘Hey, sorry, I forgot!’
So I replied, ‘Dude, it’s OK,
there’s so much on Your plate,
but I just hope that on the day
You get to it, it’s not too late.’
God smiled at this and shook His head,
said, ‘You know that I was kidding, right?
I’m watching this hard road you tread,
and I read every word you write,
Do your best, son, let it ride,
and know that I walk by your side.’
Amen! He never leaves or forsakes us.
Once again, awesome job on your sonnet!
Persistent prayer is a challnge for me–the not givng up part when you’ve been praying and praying and don’t see any signs of progress.
Thanks for sharing.
I know how you feel, Sandra. I’ve prayed as long as 17 years for a certain request. But, the answer was still sweet when it came!
Thanks for coming by!
I needed this encouragement to keep going in prayer. Thank you.
Thanks for dropping by Lauren. It is my joy to encourage!
Good word. Thanks, Jerralea.
Thanks, Debbie, for visiting!
So grateful for the writing of the prophets who school me in the waiting life!
Michele, you bring up a good point. After all there are lots of stories about waiting – David waiting to become King, Sarah and Hannah both waiting to become mothers — even Simeon waiting to see the Consolation of Israel.
Waiting is in the child of God’s spiritual DNA.
I think we all prefer a quick fix when possible! But it rarely happens. It’s good for us to learn how to be patient in the waiting as we work to make change.