I’m Praying, God, But You’re Not Answering

“Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint, and to the them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40: 27-31).

Waiting is hard. Time is a valuable commodity and once it’s spent, it’s gone forever. We have appliances, apps, GPS maps, and various electronic devices designed specifically to save time. That’s the main selling point — this appliance saves you time. We hurry here and there at break-neck speeds and think it’s the unpardonable sin if someone causes us to wait.

Whether at the grocery store, bank or restaurant, we search frantically for the shortest line.

Who’s the quickest checker?

Which is the easiest path?

How can I maneuver best so I don’t have to wait?

Unfortunately this misplaced sense of urgency spills over into our spiritual lives. When we pray we want answers fast. We don’t want to wait. But sometimes, that’s exactly what God would have us to do.

Isn’t it ironic? There are scriptures that speak about the brevity of life. God exhorts us to number our days because our life is but a vapor, and – poof – it’s over. Yet the very God that gives us this brief life says to us, “Wait”.

God is good. His call for us to wait for our answers works on our character and in our relationship with Him. God graciously guides us in how we should wait on Him to meet our prayer needs.

“Truly my soul waiteth upon God…my soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning” (Ps 62:1&5).

As we continue to do and be all that we know according to God’s Word, we wait inwardly – in our souls. It is a resting in our hearts while we continue serving with our lives.

“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Ps. 37:7).

We wait patiently, bearing calmly without complaint any delays. We do not act hastily but remain steadfast despite possible opposition.

“It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord” (Lam. 3:26).

With our hearts at peace, no tossing to and fro in our minds, we wait quietly, free of distress and complaint, for the answer from our God. This displays a faith which is sure and understands our hope does not disappoint us.

“Therefore I will look unto the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation: My God will hear me” (Micah 7:7).

With our dependence fixed firmly on our God we wait confidently, because we know He hears us when we pray. Our confidence in Him displays our assurance of answered prayers.

“Therefore turn thou to thy God, keep mercy and judgment and wait on thy God continually” (Hosea 12:6).

Without interruption, without wavering, steadfastly, we wait continually for God’s answer to our prayers.

God’s way of waiting is contrary to our way of waiting. We get anxious, impatient and disquieted in our souls; sometimes we even give up.

The world, the flesh, and the devil try to make us doubt God. But we can stand firm and not give in to those feelings. We can count on God’s love for us. We can count on God’s purpose to work for our good. We can count on God’s ability to do abundantly above whatever we ask or think. When we focus on the character of the one asking us to wait we can do so with peace in hearts.

As we practice waiting inwardly, patiently, quietly, confidently, and continually, these qualities capture and control our spirits and help anchor us to God’s eternal purpose through our prayers.

Waiting on God’s leading and answer to our prayers is both reasonable and right. Even though our nature leans toward impatience, waiting on God is best because of His nature and power.  

God is the creator of all things.

“For by Him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in the earth, visible and invisible. All things were created by Him and for Him” (Col 1:16).

When we recognize God’s great power displayed in creation it assures us He is more than able to move with that same power in answer to our prayers.

God is the owner all things.

“Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me” (Job 41:11).

Since God owns everything that He has created, He has abundant resources to answer our prayers and meet our needs.

God is good and He gives us all things.

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (I Tim 6:17).

God doesn’t treat us like orphans or paupers. In Christ, we are His children. He gives us what we need, when we need, and in the quantity that best helps us to trust Him and helps conform us to the image of His Son.

What are you praying about?

Are you praying for healing?

Are you praying for a loved one?

Are you praying for guidance?

Are you discouraged because your answer has not come?

Are you feeling as if there’s no place to turn?

Are you struggling in your soul and the heavens are silent?

God isn’t saying yes. God isn’t saying no. Maybe God is saying wait. Though waiting seems like the hardest hurdle we face in prayer, when God says wait, it’s the very thing we need to do.

Everything is under God’s control. As Creator He owns it all. We can have confidence that He is able to help us. We can wait patiently knowing in God’s time the circumstances will turn and we’ll have our answer. He is faithful in His love for us. We can rely on Him to know what’s best for us. With that in mind and heart we can continually trust and quietly wait for Him to move in our need.

Dear Friend, take heart. Your answer will come. But in the meantime, wait. For when we wait on God the way He intended, God pours out His blessings upon us.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry” (Ps 40:1).

“For the Lord is a God of judgment: Blessed are all they that wait for him” (Is 30:18).

“For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen O God beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him” (Is 64:4).

“The Lord is good unto them that wait for him” (Lam 3:25).

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say, on the Lord” (Ps 27:14).