Day 21: Journey of Prayer

Journey of Prayer

Monday, February 1, 2021

Day 21

Then (Naomi) said, “Wait my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.” Ruth 3:18

As I was perusing the internet I came across a blurb about wait. “Waiting means resting in God’s timing and activity while taking care of our responsibilities- the things we can do and should do as set forth in the Word of God”. It went on with an example of what to do we do when a spouse acts in disobedience to the Word. Our nature is to nag and brow beat our partner with arguments and complaining but 1Peter 31:2 says our responsibility is to seek them with Christlike behavior while we wait on the Lord to work in their lives. I use the spouse reference but this can apply to any relationship. Ugh…I don't know about you but this is NOT my first reaction when facing situations in relationships that I have high emotions attached to. “Big fail” here for me on many occasions. Just more opportunity for me to stay prayerful in my own life.

It’s interesting that waiting is just not a strong suit for most of us. From childhood we hear, “Wait until we get there”; “Wait for dessert until you eat all your vegetables” ; And we all remember, “Wait 30 minutes after you eat before entering the pool”. As we age, these scenarios seem to get more difficult: We wait on a medical diagnosis or a job we desperately need. We wait for change in a disobedient teen we are worried about, or we wait for the spouse we have prayed years for. The list goes on and on . Our lives seem to have the thread of “Wait” woven through them from birth till death.

Why this is, I just don't know. However, I do know we can choose to take the metaphorical “waiting room” as a time to do something positive. Chris lays out several active things we can do as believers while we wait on the Lord. I’ve added my thoughts here as well :

1. Wait with expectancy- knowing something else is coming. A mentor once told me to WAIT until the Lord tells me to put my “backside “ in the car and GO. His timing is everything.

2. Wait with faith- it’s not a coincidence we are half way through this study and today’s lesson is on “wait”. Do not doubt God is in this and He is working in ways you cannot understand.

3. Wait and keep praying- He wants relationship with you and praying is our connection point.

4. Wait and keep worshiping- remember who He is and how worthy He is of our worship. If you look at scripture, He is simply AMAZING and so worthy of our time and praise.

5. Wait with determination - put some scripture in your “tool box’ to repeat when you are discouraged. Don't let the enemy have his way with your heart and mind.

Personally, I have had a time of desperate waiting that turned into the most worshipful period of my life. It slowed me down long enough for me to learn to really listen and hear the Lord. I think He took me there for exactly that reason. It’s curious that sometimes we seem to wait forever then, in a flash He moves mountains so quickly your head can swim.

I hope today is encouraging to you. Let’s power on with our prayers and trust Him with every fiber of our being. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Don’t fear ladies, He is at work.

For further reading : John 20:27-29; Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 40:31.

Heavenly Father,

Help us learn what You mean by wait. We want Your way above all else. Please, Father, stand in front of Satan when he is sending discouraging, despairing thoughts in our head. Make Your voice much louder to our ears and teach us how to hear it. We trust You with all that we are bringing to You feet and know every prayer is heard. Amen.