(The following is the December 11 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Revelation 8 and pay close attention to verses 1-5.)
When we repeatedly pray about a matter and don’t perceive an answer, we may feel like pleading as David did, “Hear my prayer, Lord, and listen to my cry for help; do not be silent at my tears” (Ps. 39:12).
Scripture assures us God hears our prayers. In Revelation 8, John’s vision includes prayers: “The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up in the presence of God from the angel’s hand” (v. 4). The prayers reach their target of God’s presence. He responds in ways consistent with his sovereign will.
The following passages also remind us of God’s faithfulness in hearing his children’s prayers:
“And if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matt. 21:22).
“Because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer” (1 Pet. 3:12).
“This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15).
“When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and golden bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints” (Rev. 5:8).
Impatience in waiting for answers to prayer warps our judgment regarding God’s attentiveness. He hears. He knows and wants what is best for his children. Trust him to answer perfectly at the right time.
Next Step:
Have you waited a long time for an answer to prayer? Thank God that he hears. Tell him you trust him to reveal the best answer at the right time.
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