Yes, No, Wait

I’d done a dozen of her Bible studies, at least, and each one had deepened my walk with God and given me a fresh perspective on faith. But this one, something about it really tugged at my heartstrings. Maybe it was the season of life I was in, or maybe it was the understanding I possessed of the writing process, but I wanted her to know how deeply her work had ministered to me.

With my baby down for a nap, I pulled out my notebook and poured my heart out in pages of handwritten exhortations. A few weeks later, I was in shock to find a letter from her in my mailbox. I sliced open the envelope and unfolded the paper to discover that I’d received a pre-typed canned reply. She’d signed her name at the bottom in blue ink, which was more than she had to do. After all, I wasn’t necessarily expecting a reply, as I hadn’t asked anything from her. But I’d spent a great deal of time crafting the message and I wondered if it actually made it past the mailroom.

A few months ago, I listened to a podcast interview of an incredibly successful Christian author. After soaking up her wisdom, and then reading one of her one hundred and some odd books, I typed out an email of appreciation for her work. Hours later, I received a personal email from her encouraging me in my own journey and even giving me a snippet of advice. Months later, I met her in person and she remembered exactly who I was.

Prayer can easily feel this way, can’t it? Sometimes we receive quick answers and other times we’re just uttering words that are falling on deaf ears, unsure that God will even give us a reply. With millions, maybe billions, of prayers being lifted to the Heavens non-stop, does He hear our little plea? Is it worth His time?

“In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” – Psalm 5:3

If God didn’t hear our prayers, the Bible would tell us so. And if God didn’t desire His children to pray, He would have never given us the option.

I’d love nothing more to find a reply from God in my mailbox or inbox concerning the focused prayer I have been offering up for years, but I’m still waiting in expectation.

I don’t know how He will answer, but I do know there are three options: yes, no, keep waiting.

Friend, offer your request to God. Lay it before Him. Because every request to God makes it past the mailroom.  No one is running interference for Him. And although I don’t know how He can hear all of us, and tend to each of us accordingly, I just know He does.

So praise Him for the yes, trust him with the no, and eagerly anticipate what He will do as you continue to wait in expectation.