Waiting for Answered Prayer
Tuesday’s Verse:
From Habakkuk 2:3 ESV
For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay.
Over the past several months, I’ve collected “biblical memes” from X (the former Twitter). My collection is rather large right now, so I thought I would share. Over the coming days, I’ll present these memes.
In prayer, we ask for answers. We want them clear, quick, and comforting. But sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers on our timetable. Let me be honest: I have been praying for better health every day since the spring of 2024. I find myself growing increasingly impatient with God for His answer. Habakkuk felt that frustration. He cried out against injustice and silence. God heard him and gave him a vision—a timetable. “Wait. It will come.”
In this verse, God is telling Habakkuk that His answers will never be haphazard. They are precise. They will come at an appointed time. When the answer seems to take so long, God’s response is never forgotten. It just isn’t due yet. Waiting is never punishment; it’s preparation.
As Lutherans, we believe that God is faithful to His promises. He heard the deepest prayer of the whole world in Christ our Redeemer, who came not a moment too soon or a moment too late, but in the fullness of time. The same God who made that great promise hears you when you pray. He may not answer in the way or the timing you want, but He always answers in mercy and in wisdom.
What are you praying about that seems to have no answer? Bring it again before God today, not with frustration, but with trust. The vision is coming. Wait for it.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Almighty Father, You know my heart and my prayers before I speak them. Teach me to trust Your timing and Your ways. Give me faith to wait, knowing You are always at work—even in the silence. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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