Have you ever asked the Lord to guide someone's heart to salvation? Have you asked Him for a healing? Have you asked for anything, and it seems like it's taking so long!
When do we stop? When do we say "That's enough, I give up!" "God must not be listening.” "God just doesn't care.” or "Well it's not God's will.” A month, 2 months, 6 months? A year, 5 years, 10 years? Do we just stop? How long Lord? It gets exhausting, even frustrating! I recently, in the past couple years, found a prayer poem that came up on my Facebook news feed that goes like this:
If God answers your prayer,
He's increasing your faith.
If He delays,
He's increasing your patience,
If He doesn't answer,
He has something better for you.
Unknown
Okay that sounded good to me, so if I'm still praying and waiting God is not only answering in His timing, but He's teaching me something through the prayer and waiting. Then there's the parable Jesus taught His disciples about persistent prayers that is a great encouragement to not give up, Luke 18:1-8 The persistent widow. That is a great encouragement for me to not give up!
I've prayed for many people in my life so far (and still am) to turn their hearts tward God and His precious gift of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. Some have made that decision close to their death bed. Some soon after they hear how much they are loved by God our Heavenly Father want to be baptized and start a relationship with Him.
The most recent person has taken almost 13 long, hard, tear filled years. Deeply hurt by the church many years ago. Even to the point of hate and anger, I thought "Oh God, will this ever happen?”
Only Him, only by His grace. Persistent prayers. She finally asks me about God and how I know what I know. Asks me to pray when something is going on in her life, and even tells me she will pray when there's something going on in my life. She stumbled on "The Chosen" series with her husband and came to me very excited about it and said she and her husband couldn't stop watching it till they got through all 3 seasons!
So, how long Lord, how long? Till His work is done in them and the one praying (There are lessons. He's teaching all around) Praying till He comes and takes me Home. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Ephesians 6:18. Pray in the spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Don't give up!