A Delayed or Unseen Answer?

God permitted St. Augustine to fall deeper and deeper into sin even though his mother Monica was faithfully praying for him. She could not have known during those long days of waiting that God would be able to grant her much more in the end than if He had answered her when she first began praying.

Answers to our prayers are sometimes not delayed; they are simply unseen. I recall a time, though, when God allowed me to glimpse His precise answer. "Help her to begin seeking You," I had been praying for a friend.

Some days after I had begun praying this, she told me on the phone, "You know, I've had this strong desire to search for God."

At times Satan whispers, "Your prayers are worthless. You might as well quit trying to believe." But then the Spirit responds: "Your faith is precious to Me! One day your faith that is now being tried will result in praise, honor, and glory!" (See 1 Peter 1:7).

"Blessed is the man who is not staggered by God's delay, or silence, or apparent refusal, but is strong in faith," wrote Andrew Murray.

I thank You, Father, that Your delays are always filled with purpose.

"Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up" (Luke 18:1).

"If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed" (Habakkuk 2:3 NLT).