Have you ever grown discouraged over unanswered prayer? Maybe you’ve prayed in faith but seen no results. Well, it is important to realize that in addition to faith, we must mix patience to see our prayers fulfilled.
Daniel chapter 10 tells of an instance in which Daniel intensely seeks the Lord but receives no answer. Finally, after three weeks, a man appears to him in a vision and explains, “From the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come because of your words” (v. 12). The man goes on to bring the understanding Daniel sought. You see, though weeks passed with no results, God was in the process of bringing Daniel the answer even from the first day!
What if Daniel had not waited for the completion of that process? Though giving up would have been easy, he remained faithful and therefore received his answer. We should do the same. Even if you’ve prayed for years about certain situations, don’t give up now! You never know when the breakthrough will come.
Of course, many times, we probably don’t even realize when some of our prayers are being answered. For example, your prayers for wisdom have probably altered your decision-making process. Your prayers for protection have probably stopped accidents from occurring. Your prayers for peace may have even stopped wars from erupting. Though we may never realize the full impact of our prayers, be assured that they are critically important!
So, don’t stop praying! Instead, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). Keep believing and trusting in the Lord, and know that your prayers make a difference!
Reflections 