How to Wait on God to Answer a Prayer

Our waiting periods can be a tremendous trial. When we learn how to wait on God to answer a prayer, we can thrive in the darkest of times.

My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.
-ps 62:5, NKJV

We all fall into a season of waiting at some point.

My last post touched on the inevitable journey we travel as He brings us through the intended highs and lows of life. Fine, delicate sands of the sea, traversing the cycle from pressurized rock to tiniest particle of transformed creation.

Those hardest moments are the ones of

grief
desires unfulfilled
sorrow and loss
questions lingering
hanging in the midst.

We suffer.

We ask.

We wait.

This pathway, all challenge fraught with change, intends to transform us into the most beautiful of beings – to be more like Him.

But how do we thrive when the season becomes the question posed, the prayer unanswered? When all we’re receiving is a seeming silence of the heavens?

How to Wait on God to Answer a Prayer:

1. Cling

Most of us have a treasured childhood memory of holding fast to a cherished item of deep friendship or immense comfort.

We’d wrap ourselves, fingers gripping fully our tattered blankie chrysalis while we await transformation from fearful to courageous, or sleepy to sunshine-y.

Or curl excited arms around a well-loved stuffy and name ourselves well-loved, in return.

Those precious mementos from our younger years, provision of esteem bits or comfort doses…yet they were not an all-in-all.

They could not give us everything we needed, only the tidbits of what we could glean or enjoy in the moment.

They were not Jesus.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness… (2 pet 1:3 ehv)

Cling now to the One who has the power to provide for ALL our needs.

2. Trust These Promises

Part of the holding fast is heart-burying those truths He’s nestled so surely in scripture’s pages.

Just what is promised to us, to those who wait on Him?

Boundless treasure, tremendous truths.

These are not feel-good, whimsy words for you to keep on the back burner while you grasp at everything else first.

These are powerful promises, veritas-laden and ready to penetrate soul and spirit (heb 4:12).

Treasured Truths for those who wait ~

Strength in your being – your strength shall be renewed, as though you were given an extra dose of endurance in the marathon to which He’s called you. is 40:31

Strength in your heart – the seat of all your emotion, passion, pain, and desire – shall be strengthened. ps 27:14

Inheritance of the earth – ps 37:7-9, 34

The downfall of the wicked – ps 37:34

The grace of God – past, present and future grace – is 30:18

God’s glorification – is 30:18

God’s action on your behalf – is 64:4

God’s goodness to you – lam 3:25-26, rom 8:28

Dig into the treasure chest of scripture. Every one of these applies to you❣️

3. Remember

When we boldly look back upon where we’ve come from and all He’s done for us…

When we remember the cross and the sin of the world heaped on the Son of Man’s shoulders…

When we think of who He is in character…loving, kind, trustworthy, wise…

When we keep record of these things daily, in a journal kept close…

…we remind ourselves of the faithfulness, the trustworthiness of the One who loves us so.

He does not fail us – He dauntlessly comes through.

Though weeping may tarry for the night, joy comes in the morning. {ps 30:5}

4. Lean Upon the Body

This body of believers, fashioned by an infinitely wise Creator, is intended to function as one unit. “Many parts, yet one body” {1 cor 12:20}. Beauteous design, without division, but that we “may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together…” {1 cor 12:25-26}.

No wonder we’re called to carry each other’s burdens {gal 6:2}. Doing so fulfills the greatest law – the law of love.

Let others into the depths of your trial. Let them walk beside you on such a rocky road, helping to shoulder the burden encompassing your heart as you long suffer and wait. Let them bring question and request to the Lord on your behalf.

It can be a scary thing – but this is key to experiencing comfort and growth as He uses His people to care for one another.

5. Lean on Future Grace

One of the great gifts we fail to utilize so often is to rely upon the principle of future grace.

If you’re a believer, you are covered in His grace. Grade lavishly blankets your past steps, your current situations, and yes – the future to come.

Uncharted territory lies ahead while you tarry, yet grace will be there to catch you when the unknown finally comes.

Read more about the precious promise of future grace here.

6. Distract

One of the ways I’ve learned to handle this season is to stay busy with a myriad of other things the Lord has placed on my lap.

Especially if I know I’ll have less time later with who’s to come, busying myself and making best use of the time I have now speaks wisdom. Not only that, but occupying my mind with one takes it off the other.

I throw myself into my other passions.

Traveling? Love it. Pursuing unique ways to grow my crew in the Lord? Yes yes yes. Homeschooling? My full time baby and always a time eater.

I love this tip. So highly practical and effective 🧡

For more on the Art of Distraction and what to do in the waiting, check out this post.

7. Pour Out Your Heart to Him

Oh, friend.

The temptation to be silent…to give such quiet treatment that will only damage…can be great when we feel He’s being silent with us.

We must be cautious to not let such a thing pervade our lives in the midst of our waiting. Dropping communication with God is an open doorway for the enemy to come in and sow discord, anger, fear, and disbelief.

A lack of faith, a falling away…

It’s essential to turn to Him as you swim amongst the tide pool of emotions and questions you may have. He wants to hear you and tend to your aching heart.

In fact, doing so is key to navigating the seas of waiting in water’s depth.

This turning, this emptying of heart to Him is the first step of four in learning to lament.

And lament is essential in a believer’s suffering.

I can’t wait to continue walking this journey with you. Next, we’ll be diving into this concept of lament – a very practical and healing outlet when our wait involves a heavy amount of grief and pain.

Just what do we do with our heart-spent emotions; how do we handle them in a healthy and Biblical way? Exactly what is lament and how does it help the hurting believer?

You’ll receive insight into this crucial component of our walk, so be sure to follow along 💕

For more on the beauty and practice of lament, check out Mark Vroegop’s Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, available at Amazon:

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