Jesus said, “Men ought always to pray and not to faint.” Luke 18:1. The Apostle Paul taught us to “pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT). The Bible never gives us a specific number of times we may petition God for something. However, Jesus said, “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.” Matthew 6:7
With every prayer, we need to humble ourselves and to ask that God’s will be done in the matter. When our Lord was in the Garden of Gethsemane, he was under great stress and grief. He prayed, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done,” Luke 22:42. Why? Because God’s will is always the wisest, most loving, and best answer to any request.
God answers pray. Sometimes His answer is yes, sometimes no, and sometimes wait. Waiting is hard. Yet, waiting can develop our characters; teach us faith and trust; change our circumstances; teach us obedience; help us to honor and value God’s answer.
Remember: “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts,” Isaiah 55:9. God’s timing is best.
Is it permissible to pray while waiting? Yes. Whenever your heart is troubled, pray to God. Psalm 10:17 (CSB), “LORD, you have heard the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully.” Then when an answer seems delayed, we may also ask for wisdom and patience to learn the lessons from waiting.
God is a god of love. He loves you. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take,” Proverbs 3:5,6 (NLT). “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV).
