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

10 Things to Practise While Waiting on God

Crosswalk.com Contributing Author
2020 fourteen Oct

Y'all've finished the medical procedure. As yous try getting oriented, you lot lay there. Now comes the hard function. Waiting for results. Or mayhap you aren't the one having the test; it's someone you lot love. In that case, the waiting seems incommunicable. We know we're not supposed to worry. We know God is sovereign, but what can nosotros do as we await?

Are you waiting for something you've been praying about for a very long time and the answer has not come up? Do you sometimes feel stretched to the very limit of your endurance? I don't think there is one of u.s. who hasn't felt like this at times. In the fast-paced gild in which we live we often feel that waiting is a consummate waste material of time. We are frequently consumed with activism and a results-oriented lifestyle. We want immediate results and detect it so difficult to await.

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

A Quantum Prayer for Waiting for God's Timing

Lord, I give thanks You that You volition 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. Help me to pray past organized religion consistently and long-term, to believe, wait, and then move forward in Your timing. Help me to be patient in prayer, not give up, and trust You even during moments when I feel negative emotions. I don't want to live by feelings but past faith. Aid me not to take matters in my own hands. I choose to trust you, and I refuse to believe the lies of the enemy. I cull to be faithful in prayer (Colossians 4:2). Deepen my understanding, and give me a greater knowledge of what You lot are doing in my life. I choose to hold unswervingly to the hope that I profess (Hebrews 10:23). Stretch my faith in the midst of the wait, only as You did with Your disciples when encountering a storm at ocean (Matthew 8:23-27). I give thanks You that You lot have all wisdom and volition reply my prayers in the perfect way. In Jesus' name, Amen. (Debbie Przybylski)

Here are 10 things to practise while you lot're waiting on God.

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1. Pray

Praying is important. But involving others in this process is helpful. Read Luke 8:27-36. Did you ever 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 so information technology hit me. Jesus had performed other miracles past this time. And some of them might have been shared, or maybe not. Merely the fact that a herd of pigs ran off the border of a cliff and all drowned. That would be a story people would call back.

Sometimes things happen to united states of america which stretch our religion. Enlisting others to pray is dually beneficial:

Sharing your burdens lessens them.
Others grow spiritually as they see God respond prayers they had a function in.

Read 1 Peter 5:7. God informs usa that nosotros are to cast our feet on him. Why? Considering no one cares near us like God does. Just equally I was concerned when my young grandson lost his beloved Lightning McQueen auto, God is a concerned Father about whatever concerns us.

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two. Read Truth

All of us have certain things we read which requite us courage when things are difficult. Perchance you lot have a favorite portion of Scripture. Maybe you lot similar to memorize verses and then you can meditate on them when you are experiencing hard times. Waiting is difficult. Concentrating on what is true helps u.s. recognize when Satan starts lying to us.

He'll tell us things similar:

God doesn't intendance about you.
He doesn't hear you.
Yous haven't been reading the Bible lately; he's not going to answer.

Nosotros need to read truth when nosotros confront a trial so we can be armed. Read Ephesians 6:10-twenty. In this department God describes why it is important to stand up confronting the enemy of our soul. Satan loves to attack at our weakest points, so nosotros demand the power of God to fight this. We need the his armor. God's own Son turned to God and his Discussion when tempted.

Read Matthew 4:one-eleven. Jesus started every sentence with "It is written." He knew he could be strengthened past his Father, and he did but that. What a wonderful example he was in turning to God'due south Word instead of thinking he had what it took to stand up to the enemy. Nosotros have to recall 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, become into Scripture and recall His promises.

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three. Sing

Sometimes nosotros're not in a place where we can easily process things. In that case, permit me advise that you get alone and sing to God. When I was at my sister'due south murder trial waiting for my turn to evidence, I remember quietly singing hymns. Some I hadn't sung in years, and however, when I needed those words, they were there, tucked abroad in my mind.

By the fourth dimension 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 strength I did non have over and over in my life. And when I'm in a place with people all around and singing is not possible, just reciting the words still helps my fears to dispel as I lean with all my weight on God. Worship while you wait.

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4. Make a List of What God Has Done in Your Life

Sometimes our faith wavers; the longer we must wait for an answer, the harder it becomes. Listing other things God has done in my life has helped tremendously. Nosotros all need those reminders.

When David fought Goliath, even he reflected on what God had washed in the past in his life. List things God has done for you in your life. Yous'll be amazed how many you'll come upwards with in such a small period of fourth dimension.

You lot tin go back equally far every bit you'd like, and as you brand this list, you'll feel your conviction in God growing. Read Hebrews 13:eight. Just meditating on the immutability of God volition assist you to trust in his unfailing dear. We can trust that the one who helped u.s. yesterday is able to help usa over again today.

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v. Go for a Walk

Sometimes we tin can get encouraged when we take a break from any we're doing and nosotros look effectually at God's cosmos. Bear witness of God working is everywhere we look. From the tiniest of creatures, to the vastness of the sky, nosotros see God's fingerprints.

Going for a walk helps united states to articulate our minds and to concentrate on the beauty that is all around us. Too oftentimes nosotros go caught upward in the way the world thinks. Read Romans 12:2. In this case, information technology is important to remember that if we're not proactive we can conform to the world around u.s.. And the simply fashion we can exist transformed is to fill ourselves with what is true.

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6. Meditate on God's Promises

Read Romans 8:28. We tin have confidence as we are waiting, knowing that God will work our outcomes together for expert. Nosotros take a caring, loving God who started a work in united states when nosotros start accepted his Son and the sacrifice Jesus made.

God started a work and nosotros are promised he cares most usa and will work all things together for expert... Even that very thing you are hoping and praying for now. God'due south Word is filled with promises from our Creator to provide and evangelize. The Bible is the ultimate source for truth and God is faithful to fulfill all His promises. For a total list of promises in Scripture read: God's Promises in the Bible

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eight. Telephone call a Friend

Read Ecclesiastes iv:9-12. God never meant for united states of america to deport our ain burdens. He tells us that ii are improve than one. Why? Considering when one falls, the other tin aid him up. Community is of import to God. He did not brand u.s.a. to exist isolated. Find friends who will expect with you.

Often we volition discover that a friend will help united states and so there volition come a day when our friend will demand a paw likewise; nosotros volition be able to exist that person. David had a shut friendship with Jonathan. Nosotros can pray God provides u.s. with our very own Jonathan.

9. Talk to a Pastor

If yous discover you are struggling, perhaps it is time to call on a pastor to aid you sort things out. Not only practice they know truth, merely they are also trained to assistance y'all when you feel overwhelmed with your life.

A pastor may also take other ideas of what y'all can do to convalesce the feet you are feeling. I remember once in item when I was struggling with waiting on God. I found that the words my pastor had for me were very encouraging. The Bible says nosotros are to encourage one another. Pastors are practiced at encouraging hearts that are bent low because of trials.

x. Visit Someone Who is Homebound

We are in an historic period where people think anybody is plugged in. Only the truth is non everyone is continued. There are people who are not computer literate. And while the rest of the earth communicates regularly, they practise not. We who know the Lord need to take care of those who are lonely. Read James 1:27. God tells us to look after the widows. Maybe you know someone who could really apply a visit. You lot could be the bright spot to their day.

And before you think that you don't take time, we make time for the things that are important to us. Someday you lot may be alone, and wouldn't you welcome a visit from someone? Yes, the world is pretty connected, just non anybody. You tin make a large difference with a small visit. And if you're not sure who to visit, ask God. For the very person he puts on your centre may be the aforementioned one who's but whispered a prayer to God.

God I bring the person who is waiting earlier you. I pray that you aid him/her to rest. God, yous are not surprised at what they are facing. You are sovereign. Father, give them a measure of grace then they tin wait, though they feel the waiting is impossible. Environs them with your peace that passes all agreement. We pay this in your Son'south most precious and Holy name. In Jesus' name, amen.

Anne Peterson is a speaker, poet, and published author who is a regular contributor to Crosswalk. Anne has published 14 books including her memoir, Broken: A story of abuse, survival and hope. Anne believes life is hard, so she writes words to make it softer. Notice Anne on her website and Facebook page. You tin too receive her free Ebook:Helping Someone in Grief: 17 Things Yous Need to Know.

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