As mentioned in last week’s blog, waiting is not easy. As we get closer and closer to Christmas, the wait gets more difficult. In these final days of Advent, there’s no time like the present for a time of patience – especially in prayer.
I found this a number of years ago, and I wanted to share it with you as we are in the final homestretch of Advent.
Patience in Prayer (Author Unknown)
When the idea is not right, God says, “NO.”
No – when the idea if not the best.
No – when the idea if absolutely wrong.
No – when though it may help you, it would create problems for someone else.
When the time is not right, God says, “SLOW.”
What a catastrophe it would be if God answered every prayer at the snap of your fingers.
Do you know what would happen?
God would become your servant, not your master.
Suddenly God would be working for you instead of you working for God.
When you are not right, God says, “GROW.”
The selfish person has to grow in unselfishness.
The cautious person must grow in courage.
The timid person must grow in confidence.
The dominating person must grow in sensitivity.
The critical person must grow in tolerance.
The negative person must grow in positive attitudes.
The pleasure-seeking person must grow in compassion for suffering people.
When everything is all right, God says, “GO.”
Then miracles happen:
A hopeless alcoholic is set free.
A drug addict finds release.
A doubter becomes a child in his belief.
Diseased tissue responds to treatment, and healing begins.
The door to your dream suddenly swings open
And there stands God saying, “GO!”
May we always pray for patience and the ability to slow down and wait so we can prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign;* the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel. ~Isaiah 7:14
Missed reading part 1? Read it here.
