sermon/what to do while waiting for god to answer prayer

10 Things to Do While Waiting on God

Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
2020 14 Oct

You've finished the medical procedure. Every bit you endeavor getting oriented, you lot lay there. Now comes the hard part. Waiting for results. Or possibly you aren't the one having the test; information technology'south someone you love. In that instance, the waiting seems impossible. We know nosotros're not supposed to worry. We know God is sovereign, simply what tin we practice every bit we look?

Are you waiting for something you've been praying about for a very long time and the respond has not come up? Do yous sometimes feel stretched to the very limit of your endurance? I don't think there is one of us who hasn't felt like this at times. In the fast-paced society in which we alive nosotros often feel that waiting is a complete waste of fourth dimension. We are often consumed with activism and a results-oriented lifestyle. We want immediate results and detect it then difficult to look.

Did you know that your waiting could actually exist strategic for breakthrough in prayer? Many believers are soon facing the reality of delay. They are in a stage of waiting. It'southward taking longer than expected. Could all of these delays possibly be engineered and designed by the Lord Himself? Could He exist preparing His people for something really big, and only He knows how He must make them gear up in the place of prayer and intimacy kickoff?

A Quantum Prayer for Waiting for God's Timing

Lord, I thank You that You lot will answer my prayers in Your perfect timing. Reveal what is in my heart, and make me ready to handle the answer in the right style when it comes. Assist me to pray past faith consistently and long-term, to believe, expect, and so motility forward in Your timing. Help me to exist patient in prayer, non surrender, and trust Yous even during moments when I feel negative emotions. I don't desire to live by feelings just by faith. Assistance me non to accept matters in my own hands. I choose to trust you, and I reject to believe the lies of the enemy. I choose to exist true-blue in prayer (Colossians 4:two). Deepen my understanding, and requite me a greater knowledge of what You are doing in my life. I cull to hold unswervingly to the hope that I profess (Hebrews 10:23). Stretch my faith in the midst of the wait, simply as Y'all did with Your disciples when encountering a storm at bounding main (Matthew eight:23-27). I thanks that Y'all have all wisdom and volition answer my prayers in the perfect way. In Jesus' name, Amen. (Debbie Przybylski)

Hither are ten things to exercise while you're waiting on God.

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1. Pray

Praying is of import. But involving others in this process is helpful. Read Luke 8:27-36. Did you always wonder why Jesus let the demons that were in the man go into the herd of pigs? Why would God let the pigs drown? And then it hit me. Jesus had performed other miracles by this time. And some of them might accept been shared, or maybe not. But the fact that a herd of pigs ran off the edge of a cliff and all drowned. That would be a story people would remember.

Sometimes things happen to u.s. which stretch our organized religion. Enlisting others to pray is dually beneficial:

Sharing your burdens lessens them.
Others grow spiritually as they come across God answer prayers they had a part in.

Read i Peter 5:7. God informs us that we are to cast our anxiety on him. Why? Considering no i cares about us like God does. Just as I was concerned when my young grandson lost his love Lightning McQueen car, God is a concerned Father virtually whatever concerns united states of america.

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two. Read Truth

All of us have certain things we read which requite us courage when things are hard. Maybe you take a favorite portion of Scripture. Maybe y'all like to memorize verses so you can meditate on them when you are experiencing hard times. Waiting is difficult. Concentrating on what is true helps us recognize when Satan starts lying to us.

He'll tell us things like:

God doesn't care near you.
He doesn't hear yous.
You haven't been reading the Bible lately; he's not going to respond.

We need to read truth when we confront a trial so we can be armed. Read Ephesians 6:10-twenty. In this section God describes why it is of import to stand against the enemy of our soul. Satan loves to attack at our weakest points, so we need the power of God to fight this. We need the his armor. God's ain Son turned to God and his Word when tempted.

Read Matthew iv:i-eleven. Jesus started every sentence with "Information technology is written." He knew he could exist strengthened by his Father, and he did just that. What a wonderful example he was in turning to God'southward Word instead of thinking he had what it took to stand upwards to the enemy. We have to remember Satan is the father of lies. He's sneaky and he knows our weak points. Thankfully, God is stronger than anyone, and he will be what we demand in every situation. When you are waiting on God to move in a situation, get into Scripture and recall His promises.

Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/NiseriN

iii. Sing

Sometimes we're not in a place where we can easily procedure things. In that case, let me suggest that you lot get alone and sing to God. When I was at my sister's murder trial waiting for my turn to testify, I remember quietly singing hymns. Some I hadn't sung in years, and nevertheless, when I needed those words, they were in that location, tucked away in my listen.

By the time the guard came dorsum for me, I was totally peaceful. God had encouraged my heart with the truth that tucked inside those hymns. Ane of my favorite old hymns isJesus Never Fails, by Arthur A. Luther. Those three words "Jesus Never Fails" accept given me force I did not have over and over in my life. And when I'm in a place with people all around and singing is non possible, just reciting the words even so helps my fears to dispel as I lean with all my weight on God. Worship while you await.

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iv. Make a List of What God Has Washed in Your Life

Sometimes our organized religion wavers; the longer we must wait for an answer, the harder information technology becomes. Listing other things God has done in my life has helped tremendously. We all need those reminders.

When David fought Goliath, fifty-fifty he reflected on what God had done in the past in his life. List things God has washed for you in your life. You'll exist amazed how many you'll come up with in such a small-scale period of time.

Y'all tin go back as far every bit y'all'd similar, and as you make this list, you'll feel your confidence in God growing. Read Hebrews xiii:8. Just meditating on the immutability of God volition assist you to trust in his unfailing love. Nosotros tin trust that the 1 who helped us yesterday is able to aid us again today.

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5. Get for a Walk

Sometimes nosotros can get encouraged when nosotros take a break from whatever we're doing and we expect around at God's creation. Evidence of God working is everywhere we wait. From the tiniest of creatures, to the vastness of the sky, we see God's fingerprints.

Going for a walk helps us to articulate our minds and to concentrate on the dazzler that is all around us. As well often we get defenseless up in the way the world thinks. Read Romans 12:2. In this case, it is important to remember that if we're not proactive we tin can conform to the world around united states of america. And the only manner we tin be transformed is to make full ourselves with what is true.

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6. Meditate on God'southward Promises

Read Romans 8:28. We can take confidence as nosotros are waiting, knowing that God will work our outcomes together for good. We accept a caring, loving God who started a piece of work in u.s. when we first accepted his Son and the sacrifice Jesus made.

God started a piece of work and we are promised he cares most us and volition work all things together for good... Even that very thing you lot are hoping and praying for now. God's Give-and-take is filled with promises from our Creator to provide and deliver. The Bible is the ultimate source for truth and God is faithful to fulfill all His promises. For a full list of promises in Scripture read: God's Promises in the Bible

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8. Telephone call a Friend

Read Ecclesiastes 4:ix-12. God never meant for u.s.a. to bear our ain burdens. He tells united states of america that two are better than i. Why? Because when one falls, the other can help him up. Community is of import to God. He did non brand the states to be isolated. Find friends who will wait with you.

Often we volition discover that a friend volition aid the states and then there will come a day when our friend will need a hand as well; we will be able to be that person. David had a close friendship with Jonathan. We can pray God provides us with our very own Jonathan.

9. Talk to a Pastor

If you discover you are struggling, mayhap it is time to call on a pastor to help y'all sort things out. Not only do they know truth, but they are as well trained to assistance you when you lot feel overwhelmed with your life.

A pastor may too have other ideas of what you can practice to alleviate the feet you are feeling. I remember one time in detail when I was struggling with waiting on God. I found that the words my pastor had for me were very encouraging. The Bible says we are to encourage 1 some other. Pastors are good at encouraging hearts that are bent low because of trials.

10. Visit Someone Who is Homebound

We are in an age where people call back everyone is plugged in. Simply the truth is not anybody is continued. In that location are people who are not computer literate. And while the rest of the globe communicates regularly, they do non. We who know the Lord need to take care of those who are lonely. Read James 1:27. God tells usa to look later the widows. Perchance you know someone who could actually utilize a visit. Yous could be the bright spot to their mean solar day.

And before you think that y'all don't have time, nosotros make fourth dimension for the things that are important to us. Someday you may be alone, and wouldn't you welcome a visit from someone? Yeah, the earth is pretty continued, merely not everyone. You tin brand a large divergence with a small visit. And if you're not sure who to visit, ask God. For the very person he puts on your center may be the same one who's just whispered a prayer to God.

God I bring the person who is waiting earlier you. I pray that you help him/her to residue. God, you lot are not surprised at what they are facing. You are sovereign. Begetter, give them a measure of grace and then they can wait, though they feel the waiting is impossible. Environs them with your peace that passes all understanding. We pay this in your Son's most precious and Holy name. In Jesus' proper name, amen.

Anne Peterson is a speaker, poet, and published writer who is a regular contributor to Crosswalk. Anne has published fourteen books including her memoir, Broken: A story of abuse, survival and hope. Anne believes life is hard, then she writes words to make information technology softer. Find Anne on her website and Facebook page. You can also receive her free Ebook:Helping Someone in Grief: 17 Things You Need to Know.

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