Answers to Prayer

The best answers to prayer are those we have to wait and trust for. If we are answered quickly, let us be thankful; but let us be assured that by-and-by God will change His method with us, and that we shall be often made to wait.

“I will cry unto God… that performeth all things for me” (Psalm 62:2)1. Every such prayer must be answered; but we must wait God’s time and way. The finest fruit of the Spirit ripens the latest; the longer we have to wait for answers to our prayers, the richer the blessing we are blessed while we continue to pray; faith grows by waiting; the blessing is full when it comes, and the time of the answer is seen to be the right time.

Asking of God what is most precious in His sight, we surely obtain all inferior good. Thus did Solomon. (1 Kings 3:6-14.)2 All mercies are bound up with God’s gift of Christ.

It is not good for us to obtain deliverance and gifts from God, until we fully justify Him in His way of dealing with us. (Psalm 22)3 The answer to prayer will sometimes come when our patience is spent. “Let patience have her perfect work” (James 1:4)4, that such rebukes of God’s love may not be needful.

Many of God’s people pray without waiting for God to work in His own time and manner. Let us not quiet conscience by praying, and then, in fleshly haste, take our own way.

The way wherein it pleases God to answer our prayer, if we have a right mind, will always please us well.

Fußnoten

  1. Psalm 62: 2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.↩︎

  2. 1 Kings 3: 6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.↩︎

  3. Psalm 22↩︎

  4. James 1: 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.↩︎