Though Scripture contains many written prayers, like those found in the book of Psalms, and many teachings on how to pray, like the parables and sermons in Jesus’s ministry, this reading plan focuses on the prayers offered to God in the narratives of Scripture. Each day we’ll read a narrative that includes a prayer from an individual or group. Their prayers vary in length, type, posture, purpose, and God’s response. The secondary passages explore how the rest of Scripture speaks to the themes demonstrated in the main reading.
While each account is different, every prayer recorded in Scripture teaches us about the unchanging God who invites us to speak to and hear from Him. These prayers model for us what it can look like to be in conversation with God. As you read, notice the posture and emotions present each day.
Reading Scripture together is the centerpiece of what we do at She Reads Truth. As we spend time as a community reading Prayers in Scripture together, we encourage you to start by reading the daily Scripture on your own. Then join us here to engage and encourage one another as we respond to what we’ve read in the comments.
What has it looked like for you to wait on God?
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135 thoughts on "The God Who Responds"
I am tired. It’s a reminder I’m not relying on my own strength or understanding.
Waiting on the Lord at times has made me truly weary, but I love when I get to look back in the waiting and I’m able to see clearly how he was there the whole time giving me strength in the waiting!
I’m in a waiting period right now, and it’s the first time I’ve really struggled to wait and see what God has planned. I’m going through a very hard time, and there seems to be no end – no plan to get me through or get me out. But I’m trusting every day that God is working and I will one day see all that was going on when I couldn’t see it. God is good ALL THE TIME. ❤️
Waiting of God to answer my prayer for another baby.. I did not feel was very hard. I felt through every miscarriage or non positive pregnancy test that there was a reason God was not allowing this pregnancy to happen even though my other pregnancies happened very easily. I remember not even being upset. I knew God had wanted me to obviously focus on other things he had lined up for me first. And 2 years later when I did have a random positive test (totally unexpected) I knew this was the time God was allowing this pregnancy to happen. And if I never got pregnant again I honestly think I would have been okay with knowing that for whatever reason God had other things in mind for our family – whether he was protecting us from something negative or he wanted us to focus on something else that was more important. Life isn’t just about our wants and needs. What does God want for US. HE chooses what is best for us. Despite our emotions.
It’s been a challenge to wait on God to answer some of my deepest prayers. It has also brought me to the knowledge that I have to really give it to him and just leave it alone.
Timing. I see something in what I think to be my future and I want it right then. God has other plans for me. Plans that are 100000x better than anything I could imagine. But in the moment that I’m not getting what I think I need it is hard to see Gods path.
Patience. Work in the waiting. Preparing for what is to come. Being obedient. Trust.
Waiting in God, in my opinion is almost contradictory. God is waiting on me I think. God is constantly guiding the plan of my life. It’s my actions that derail and cause me to practice patience.
I am not good at waiting. In fact I’m terrible. That often leaves to my own vices to make my wants come to fruition versus waiting in the Lord to see what good gifts He has in store. In retrospect, I can see in the times of honing and waiting what came out of that was far sweeter than I could ever imagine. It’s a matter of marrying my head and my heart, I know God works all things together in His time but in humanity and I want it now, I don’t want to wait. Lord help me to be patient in the waiting.
Waiting on a God requires at-least for me a lot of patience and peace. During the waiting season which helps me learn to trust God guiding my path and leaning on faith. Releasing all my worry’s on too him which leads to open doors.
For me waiting on God has looked different in many seasons, but I always remind myself of His faithfulness in my life in the past and that He will continue to provide for me as He has done in His perfect timing.
I don’t think I do a great job at waiting on God. It is hard to wrap my mind around the concept of “the best is yet to come”. I tend to want instant gratification, but when I do wait I find the reward is greater than I could have ever anticipated. In a way, he is preparing His kingdom and when I wait it’s like a small reward for waiting for his kingdom to come.
I have a hard time not knowing what’s going to happen so I often try to think of every possible outcome beforehand especially to avoid any negative ones. It’s hard for me to be patient and trust that God is working even when I know He’s been faithful in the past/is now. Lord, help me to trust that You always know better than me and I can rest in that as I wait.
Waiting on God means trusting He has a plan greater than I can imagine for me. It also means understanding that his timing doesn’t always align with my timing.
Waiting for God is hard and feels messy at times. It’s a mental battle constantly. The unknown is scary and sometimes I even can find myself questioning his goodness when it feels to be that he is withholding something. But when I do chose to expectantly wait in hope and truth, I experience an unworldly place. I just have to choose to cling to that hope and truth, regardless of my feelings.
God is righteous!
Waiting on God is not something I excel at but I believe that the Lord is growing me in this!
Over the past month, me waiting on the Lord has been through prayer in the midst of uncertainty. I’ve been praying and asking that God will provide wisdom in knowing that his plans are far greater than anything I can imagine. Waiting on the Lord doesn’t mean to sit around and do nothing until you get an answer, there is always work needing to be done. Waiting on the Lord isn’t easy. As a very impatient control freak, I find it hard to truly give the entire situation I’m in, to God. My prayer for the past few weeks has been that I will give up the control and decisions that I’ve made, in order for his will to be done. That my heart will be receptive towards the far better things God has in store for me, even if it means going through some hardships.
Waiting is hard especially when I don’t know the plan God has for me. I know that whatever His plan may be, I am safe, loved, and healthy. I have to abide in Him. While I wait, it’s always helpful to admire all the goodness that God has given me up until this point. I am thankful for it and know His plan is greater than anything I could even ask or imagine.
Waiting on God is always challenging, especially when time constraints are involved. It’s hard to wait on directions when in the natural you can maneuver things to get a result. But waiting for God to instruct so that you move according to His will, is challenging if the instruction has not come but your time constraint is come. His timing is perfect and is nearly always not my timing.
Waiting on God I have been inpatient and it has not been easy, but as I study my word I know God has not forsaken me. Anything that I request from God I speak of it’s your WILL . Just because I ask I know I will not receive because it wasn’t in his plan. Our time is not Gods time.
Waiting on God is difficult, but I know his plan is grander than the one I have myself. So I keep my faith strong and through prayer and thanksgiving. (Philippians 4:5-7)
Recently, I went through a tough postpartum journey. I had debilitating anxiety and my thoughts got the worst of me. I fell completely into the spiral of my thoughts and fear without truly giving it to God, knowing that he would see this through. Everyday, I would seek him. Some days on my knees in surrender because I didn’t know how to keep moving on. God was my only strength through it all, although it felt like the journey lasted forever, God taught me perseverance. My timing is not God’s timing and I trust and know now that no matter what I face, God will see it through. I am thankful for the journey because I am changed in my heart seeing things more clearly of how I need to seek him and pray- live my life more now for him than how I was before.
Waiting on God is something I’ve been trying to work on having more faith in. I know that his plans for me are bigger than I could ever imagine but it’s hard when you are so anxious for something that you know is all in his timing. I’ve been wanting a baby with my husband for a long time, I’ve been with him for 8 years and I thought I’d be a mom by now. I pray everyday I am able to have healthy, beautiful babies but I have to put it in Gods hands and wait on him. I pray that everyone in this thread learns to have peace, understanding and more patience when they are waiting on God with whatever situation that may be. ❤️
Waiting on God looks like not jumping ahead but truly waiting for confirmation that this is what he says to do.
Waiting on God is hard. In the last week he answered one of my ongoing prayers. I have been struggling with having Christ centered friendships and I prayed a few months ago that God will take out the people who are not Christ centered and he did. He also has been moving in my friend of many years life and she was saved 3 nights ago.
You are so right. That’s exactly it! I totally relate Veronica! It changes us, and it gives us a great reward! Praying for you from Gainesville!
One of the hardest things about waiting is suspending feelings. If I feel like God doesn’t see me, I can believe that lie and miss out on what God is doing. But, I can also choose to believe He is using my hardship to perfect me and glorify Himself. Then, when I do feel His presence and His eyes on my life, the reward is great!
I am not a patient person – except with my students. Waiting on God has been so hard for me. But the times that I truly lean into Him and acknowledge that He is creating something greater than I could ever imagine has helped me to be more patient and to know that He has something in store for me. There have been so many prayers said and answered in ways that I could never have imagined. Waiting is hard but the reward is amazing.
Waiting has been a struggle. I too question if I have heard clearly from God, or if I thought my own internal voice was God. I am praying to have a healthy relationship with my future spouse and a healthy relationship with my future kids, when God sees fit to bless me with them. 
Waiting is hard for me. I am learning now to find peace in the quiet and the still. I am finding I am loving the calm that comes over me. I had to read more in Genesis so I read backward, chapter 18 then 17 then 16….wow you see one promise after another fulfilled by God, but in His time. God does respond he does honor, like in Sodom and Gomorrah, if ahod found 10 righteous he would spare the town…as we know there weren’t any. So today I am taking one more step closer to God’s will and peace in my life and I wait on him, I wait on my 1st love
Waiting on God has changed over the years. From hopeful anticipation, through painful moments of feeling hopelessness and despair, to questioning my own ability to hear from God as I wait, and seeking Him for further assurance and guidance. More recently, waiting on God involves feeling His tangible presence as I walk through the Peak District, alone but for Him.
Waiting on God has made me feel in the past that he didn’t hear my prayers or he did and has not answered it. In the past I felt discouraged but reading the word made me realize it’s all in Gods timing. I am praying for a closer relationship with God, Increase in finances for my husband and I. To live our dream life the life we’ve been praying for. I Jesus name I believe he will make a way. Amen
I love this image!
For me, waiting on God has been long and hard. Some seasons, it’s a piece of cake; I have the discipline and the vision and the desire to wait. Other times, it’s like I’m dragging myself thru it. But I believe God to faithful. I have never known Him to not keep His word. I have never seen Him fail. If I have to wait, it’s for my good.
I am seeing how I’ve allowed myself to become bitter during the waiting towards myself and others and I pray that God changes my heart
Waiting on God has looked different in every season. This one in particular has taken me staying in prayer and praying for God’s perspective inspire of what I see in the natural. I’m learning to worship and even work on what God has placed on my heart, even in the waiting. I’ve also seen how God has given me winks and reminders that He hasn’t forgot about me and I am so grateful for that
Waiting on God has meant seeing things that made sense to me come and go but being blessed beyond measure in the waiting. Things are so perfect when we let God do the work because even my best planning is nothing compared to the intricacies that God is capable of. We waited 5 years to buy our first house. This house is such a gift. Now we are waiting on a career change for my husband. It has been busy with school and training and continuing his current career. This week God has aligned that everything will pause to give our whole family a break. It’s wonderful.
Waiting without anxiety for me has meant staying in prayer and the word. It helps to remind me of God’s good promises and that his plans are ultimately what will be worked out for my good. I’ve waited for freedom from depression, my sweet babies, my husband, my job, even my current faith. All of these beforehand had a season of waiting and trusting.
Waiting on God has looked like having no other option, changing my perspective on situations, bringing me closer to Him, trusting that He is always working, finding gratitude in the waiting, and praying more often!
Thank you for this reflection on waiting.
Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” – Genesis 18:25
When facing hard things (such as not knowing for sure that my parents trusted Jesus’ finished work on the cross for salvation before they died), this verse comes to comfort me. I have come to completely trust that God is good. Because He is.
Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” – Genesis 18:25
When facing hard things (such as not knowing for sure that my parents trusted Jesus’ finished work on the cross for salvation before they died), this verse comes to comfort me. I have come to completely trust that God is good.
Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” – Genesis 18:25
I highlighted in my Bible Genesis 18:22b-23a
(CSB): “Abraham remained standing before the Lord. Abraham stepped forward” Just focusing on this picture of Abraham standing before the Lord and stepping forward with his concerns and questions. What a bold move! Boggles my mind how God welcomes it. I feel I don’t have the wisdom to know when to step forward or when to say “your will be done”. Abraham just shared a meal before with him. Maybe I just need to spend more time in prayer with him, getting to know him instead of just shooting my requests here and there.
“Is anything too hard for God?”
Haley Bain, you have made might steps for you are reading SRT. Prayer can be hard sometimes. When you cannot pray ask someone to pray for you. Go to your Bible and pray the Psalms. Don’t try to pack it all in at one time. Throughout the day whisper a prayer of thanks for your children, their safety, their salvation. Go to Ephesians 6:10-20 read it as a prayer as often as you can. It is a prayer for your family. Blessings on you and yours.
Beautiful, even though it is extremely challenging and tough.
I always feel uncertain and shaky, like waiting for the right answer should have popped out, but I’m not worthy to hear it. Or that maybe I’ve done something wrong. There are times that I feel like my prayer or question is with him and I need not worry about it, but that is rare considering my anxiety and OCD literally constantly and consistently reminding me of my unworthiness or plain dismissing any thing that is light or bright. I honestly find it amusing sometimes how my brain actively works against me, but I guess that is one of the many good things about prayer is it does help in some ways to continue to reach out and fight against my negative thoughts and keep reaching out for the brighter things via prayer. To continue to ask for guidance not expect it, to ask for him to take my anxious thoughts and help me filter them down to what is really at the heart of the issue. To help me focus on what he needs me to see outside of my own complicated mess. It’s about focus during chaotic thoughts. Well now that I’m done with my stream of consciousness, hope my fellow SRT readers are having a great evening!
Everyone seems to be commenting on the waiting… what about the part where Abraham questions the Lord? We can question God in our prayers. He knows we don’t know everything and He made us inquisitive. Also it seems like Abraham is showing compassion for the righteous of Sodom by trying to spare them in his pleas.
Waiting is a passive process that can draw out ugly things about ourselves that God wants to show. Am I rejoicing as I wait? Or fidgeting? or back and forth planning a plan B just in case God is not faithful? Do I sleep good as I wait, or let negative emotions reign? Am I frantic or calm? My waiting posture can reveal much about me, and where my faith or fear lies. Waiting will reveal some issues. Waiting trains our patience and character, or reveals the lack of patience or character. What is it that God wants to do with me as I wait? What character is God trying to purge using the waiting period? As I wait, I will let God be God. Victory comes from the place of full surrender (0% of me and 100% of God). And if I catch myself fidgeting (which happens a lot at the beginning), I will repent and ask God to step in and correct this feeble character of mine. We can’t afford to waste our limited energy on worries & fear. Letting go is an intentional practice to welcome peace. Letting go whatever that has control over my mind and emotions is liberating. No track runner has ever worn a backpack, but wear the lightest running apparel. I pray we can let it go into God’s hands and say “it is well with my soul”. Let us be grounded in the plan that the good Lord has designed and ordained, for that plan is the plan of beautiful hope to give us a glorious future and an expected end. Be blessed dear sisters.
Waiting is hard. I love the song “Wait on the Lord,” by Maverick City, so good, especially to remind you to praise instead of complaining! I also highly recommend both week’s podcasts, they are very good!
Prayers for the requests, and praise for the answered prayer for….Molly? (with being sick herself and her kids. They tour which is so cool in itself!) I love that we know more about each other over the years and that so many new names are on this particular study!
Many beautiful comments today. I loved the poem (@Nancy)about asking again. Also the heartfelt stories of issues we all struggle with throughout the different seasons of our lives. I lift those requests in prayer. Don’t give up. God IS good. He hears the cry of our hearts. Prayers for sweet dreams to all my sister shes.
Waiting on the Lord for me is hard but I’m learning that I have to trust Him. Trust his timing.
Waiting on God means being intentional about my time with him to hear what I’m supposed to do daily during my waiting season. It means being patient and knowing this his plan for my life is better than anything I can ever dream of.
These are some of the most beautiful posts. I can’t begin to quote them all or respond to all the ones that touched my heart. Thank you all for sharing! I would echo those who said that waiting is hard. I want to add that waiting is always worth it, and that it’s in the waiting that we can really develop as people and deepen our faith. So hold on, sisters!!
I’ve been waiting for an answer to prayer. For almost the whole of this year, I’ve been experiencing some mental health issues. When they first started, I was convinced that I would be healed. I pressed in hard to Jesus, and sought his face through reading his bible like I never have before. Time and time again, I read that I must wait on Him. Waiting on Him means continuing to trust that He is good and that I will one day be delivered, despite every doubt and every fear. Nothing is wasted.
Beautiful! Wonderful! Everything! I have learned that when I wait for Gods work to answer my prayers – He gives me what I need…not what I think I need. And it always on His time. And when he does answer those prayers – man is the outcome beautiful!
I think this comment was from Kelly Neo; really related to it (Thank you!): Trying to remember that I don’t have the Lord’s perspective on the timeline that is my life. So waiting for His response for any request is usually asking for His perspective on the situation and trusting Him that I may never know what His plans and purposes were for the experienced outcome.
I am still waiting for a spouse. I’ve waited for a while. The last time I tried to take the reigns and make things happen myself: BIG MISTAKE. Thankfully, God restores and repairs the messes I tend to make when I try to play God. So now, I wait. And I can say I am content in the waiting and the last few years of my singleness, including now, have been the absoulute best. I have grown so much and gotten to do some very cool things. I know I heard from God that it will happen, and so I trust Him, knowing His timing is best.
@Haley Bain praying for your hubby and family. I’ve seen others I’ve prayed for salvation for saved but I’m still believing for my brother, brother in laws and sister in law’s salvations….I know it’s hard. I know I always feel like I’m never doing enough or praying enough. But I know from experience, God is always moving…. praying He opens your eyes to all He is doing! We love you, sister..
Waiting on the Lord for me has been trusting Him & His timing. It has been delighting in Him & letting His Word be my lamp. Acknowledging Him in all my ways. Not doubting. Even if I don’t understand, I’ll trust His plan.
@Haley Bain praying for you! My dad never attended church my whole life but my mom always took us. While it seemed like he would never be one to go to church I also stopped praying for that. Well go back 6 months ago my dad attempted to commit suicide leaving him with substantial injuries he’ll have to deal with the rest for his life. He has been afraid to go out in public because of how he looks but has decided to go to church because it’s a safe place. If that’s the only good thing to come of this accident then I’m okay with it. As you face hard times don’t give up. My outcome might look differently than yours but Just know through all the hard quiet moments God is still there. He saved my dad and I know he is your story too.
@Haley Bain praying for you! My dad never attended church my
Good analogy.
To wait on God looks like active waiting. I visualize it when I hold a plank position, I am not moving, but my body is active and still doing things. I am getting stronger as I hold plank – as I wait on the Lord.
Lord, I ask that you give Sarah peace in the waiting. Give her hope in the waiting. Let her see Your hand at work. Thank you Lord for your answers.
For me waiting for God’s timing can feel like a rollercoaster of feelings. Sometimes I feel strong in my faith and confident that my prayer will be answered in his timing and by his will. Other times I struggle to understand his plan.
Good morning, sweet sisters! Though, it’s never been easy I don’t want to be anywhere else but to wait on God. Do I want Him to hurry sometimes? Of course I do, BUT, I rather be here in the waiting, then, doing my own thing, knowing that my God knows best. I take a deep breath, and I wait.
A dear friend lost her younger brother tragically. This is the first time in her life that a tragedy has struck so close to home. She (and her family) are all devastated. Please lift them up in your prayers. Thank you.
Yesterday I posted about my sick kids and my weary Mama heart. I felt silly posting such a “small” prayer after reading through many others that seemed more pressing, more substantial. But, as I woke up this morning after a FULL NIGHT’S SLEEP, and realizing that my sweet, 2 year old that has been battling a cough also slept ALL NIGHT, I was humbled at the prayers sent up by you all on our behalf! And man was I grateful that you all lifted us up – not even second guessing at my request’s worth. While it feels good to see health returning to our household, what is even more amazing is seeing you all step in and fight for me, and others, without a moment’s pause. It is truly a blessing to be among you all. Thank you.
This is so helpful and wise, Taylor. I’m in a big season of waiting and I keep finding myself wanting to have control instead of trusting God and His perfect timing
Praying for you, Hailey. I pray that you will continue to be a light in your home to your husband and your children.
@ LANIE TANDY ❤️ Thank you Jesus! Continue please Lord.
Waiting looks like everyday life- but with a “cheerful” attitude, prayerful and doing all as if for Christ. I admit you may not see the cheer at times. Although, I continue to pray and wait.
@ HALEY BAIN: Seriously, I feel like I could have written that myself!! Some of the circumstances are slightly different but… literally. Wow, to be seen!! Thank you Jesus for all the sisters replying as well…praise God for this community. (I have only recently started to share more openly my “hurt” with some close loved ones but I often feel guilty.)
@ NANCY, thank you for the post re: ASK HIM AGAIN!!!
This ❤️ Ask Him again
Waiting is the hardest thing… it’s usually uncomfortable & sometimes painful. But God asks it of us often, there must be some good to learn in the waiting ❤️
Hi Haley… I’ve never posted either but feel moved to respond.
I was you.
8 years of marriage.
2 boys.
No hope left that things would ever change.
Our marriage became wrapped up in selfishness and clouded vision… frustration and discouragement… we gave in to all the ways of the flesh… I started having a hard time praying for him… without me even realizing it, the enemy had a grip on us.
And then when I very least expected it, after 12 years of praying for the man and then frankly, giving up.
God moved. God moved HUGE.
Restoration, forgiveness, salvation, peace.
My husband now leads our family. He is now the head of our home in ways I couldn’t even dream of before…
God is mighty, my friend. He is there. He is with you and in your family and desires your husband even more than you do!
“And when I fight, I fight on my knees”. Keep pressing into Him – His timing is so perfect and yet sometimes so hard to wait for! But worth it – I am living proof of that ♥️ You’re in my prayers.
7“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Matt. 7:7-11
Waiting on God is best even when it’s frustrating, His time is always perfect.
I waited 18 years for a prayer to be answered… to meet my half brother. Since the day he was born (I was 7) I prayed for him and asked God to meet him one day. There’s a lot to this story, but in the 18 years God molded me and prepared me for this moment and in that moment all of my fears and doubts faded away. God is faithful.
Hi Haley… I’ve never posted either but feel moved to respond.
I was you.
8 years of marriage.
2 boys.
No hope left that things would ever change.
The desires and ways of the flesh actually ended up driving us to places I never expected us to be.
And when I very least expected it, after 12 years of praying for the man and then frankly, giving up.
God moved. God moved HUGE.
Restoration, forgiveness, salvation, peace.
My husband now leads our family. He is now the head of our home in ways I couldn’t even dream of before…
God is mighty, my friend. He is there. He is with you and in your family and desires your husband even more than you do!
Hi Haley… I’ve never posted either but feel moved to respond.
I was you.
8 years of marriage.
2 boys.
No hope left that things would ever change.
The desires and ways of the flesh actually ended up driving us to places I never expected us to be.
And when I very least expected it, after 12 years of praying for the man and then frankly, giving up.
God moved. God moved HUGE.
Restoration, forgiveness, salvation, peace.
My husband now leads our family. He is now the head of our home in ways I couldn’t even dream of before…
Hi Haley… I’ve never posted either but feel moved to respond.
I was you.
8 years of marriage.
2 boys.
No hope left that things would ever change.
The desires and ways of the flesh actually ended up driving us to places I never expected us to be.
And when I very least expected it, after 12 years of praying for the man and then frankly, giving up.
God moved. God moved HUGE.
Restoration, forgiveness, salvation, peace.
Hi Haley… I’ve never posted either but feel moved to respond.
I was you.
8 years of marriage.
2 boys.
No hope left that things would ever change.
The desires and ways of the flesh actually ended up driving us to places I never expected us to be.
And when I very least expected it, after 12 years of praying for the man and then frankly, giving up.
God moved. God moved HUGE.
Hi Haley… I’ve never posted either but feel moved to respond.
I was you.
8 years of marriage.
2 boys.
No hope left that things would ever change.
The desires and ways of the flesh actually ended up driving us to places I never expected us to be.
And when I very least expected it, after 12 years of praying for the man and then frankly, giving up.
Hi Haley… I’ve never posted either but feel moved to respond.
I was you.
8 years of marriage.
2 boys.
No hope left that things would ever change.
And when I least expected it
Hi Haley… I’ve never posted either but feel moved to respond.
I was you.
8 years of marriage.
2 boys.
No hope left that things would ever change.
Hi Haley… I’ve never posted either but feel moved to respond.
I was you.
8 years of marriage.
Hi Haley… I’ve never posted either but feel moved to respond.
What does waiting on God look like? Hard, sweet, worth it. He does immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. And those waiting periods filled with desperation are so sweet and intimate. His voice. His gentle nudges. Oh the deserts seem so dry and hard, but the rain does come. He is faithful.
It is a great mystery when peace remains in the face of suffering. Or waiting. “Who then will harm you if you are devoted to doing good? But even if you suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, or be intimidated, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time… to give a reason for the hope that is in you… with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:13-15). My response in suffering holds the power of life to bless rather than curse the ground in front of me. Peace is possible in the face of hard things. I look for Christ when darkness comes. I fight my way back to my home base. His Kingdom stands ready to open the gates when I arrive. My faith remains in allegiance to Him. Our Suffering Servant. He showed me the way. My choices today ripple into the future. We might suffer for doing good. We might suffer at the hands of someone not doing good. We might suffer for our own actions or bad choices, or in sadness and depression. The suffering Jesus endured made a way to follow Him out of the darkness and into His light that saves us. My heart holds His Light and Love that can never be darkened. This is where my joy emanates from. This is where true life begins. And where it ends and begins again. With Him. I know there are battles ahead. And I also know that victory has and will come.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1).
Until…Maranatha.
I must confess that waiting is extremely difficult. I have a need for quick resolution in all things. I have a very microwave attitude. In my hurry and rush for an end product, I can miss the very things God wants to teach me and has for me. I put God in the box of my understanding instead of what Proverbs tells to lean NOT on our OWN understanding but acknowledge Him and He will direct our path. What if Abraham would have missed the opportunity to fellowship with the Lord that day, what if Sarah would have been to overcome in her own heartache to help her husband? Strong reminder to trust and to stand in the gap for others.
For me, it has been a rough journey of waiting. I have prayed so much for the Lord to take anxiety away from me, or to open up another job for me to go to. But I have to remind myself that he has a plan, he is sovereign, and he is in control. He is using this time to make me more like him and learn more about who he is. Even though it is hard. Even though I sometimes feel like he doesn’t hear me or that he isn’t answering the way that I want him to. It reminds me of the verse in Habakkuk 3:17-19, “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD!” It is really hard sometimes. But I am praying I can be content in all circumstances and still rejoice in the stronghold I have in Christ. Nothing can separate me from his love!
Lord send your mercy over all these needs. Give us hope to walk with you today believing that you are there working through hard situations and battles. You rescued and protected me in the past. Sometimes quickly and others after years of heartbreak. Even this morning I see your beauty as snow flocks the bushes and trees. And once again the sun rises. Little reminders that you are so good. Help us, strengthen us and fill us with joy. Give us faith filled voices that continue to call out to you. Thank you for the encouragement of the She Reads Truth community!
Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. Goodness I loved that from the podcast. To those that are desperately praying for someone who is lost, I want to share some encouragement. When I was 8 years old my Sunday school teacher got down at the alter and prayed desperately for her husband’s salvation every Sunday. This lasted as long as I attended the church. My youth group teacher also found out very publicly that her husband was cheating with someone in the church. I also saw her pray desperately at the alter of the church for him. Although, they had no idea this little girl was watching, they both had a PROFOUND impact on my life. I don’t know the results of the prayers, I no longer live in that town, but their display of faith and vulnerability I will never forget.
Waiting is so hard and I’m not very good at it. I have this desire to control situations and want things done my way. But that’s not how God works. Something happens in the waiting. We are refined, we grow our faith, we build perseverance. His timing is perfect and His plans are better than mine. I have to remind myself to trust Him because He knows what He is doing. I pray daily for our adult daughter to turn back to the Lord and for her heart to soften. I pray for my sisters and their families and all of my extended family. I pray that seeds of faith that have been planted long ago would be watered and grow. It’s hard to keep on waiting but I’ve seen prayers answered and it’s worth the wait.
Waiting on God has been… a journey. I learned never to pray for patience but I do pray for His peace to fill my heart. I’ve learned that His timing is so perfect even when I don’t understand it. I’ve learned to study His Word to understand His heart. Ive learned to trust God more than anything the world has to offer. He is molding and shaping me in my wait and I’m thankful for that. God is the Perfect Potter!
Beautifully said. My husband and children are the same way and I have taken the same approach the past few years and have come to peace with my decision and truly know my family are a beautiful work of God and he loves them no matter what. Thank you Patti for sharing and I am praying for you Haley Bain as I have been there with you. Sit quietly with our lord and he will guide you and help you come to peace. I am sending you hugs and love too!
I grew up a Christian but as an adult, I had to unlearn some bad theology to be able to fully trust God and understand his love for me. One area I still struggle with is knowing that God loves me enough to respond to me, to pick me up, to meet me in my brokenness, even when I’ve caused myself pain with my poor choices. I still feel like I have to work for his affection, sometimes. Like my prayers will be blocked by my own sin (which is something I remember being taught by my children’s pastor). I have three small children of my own, and I would do anything for them. If one of my babies is hurting and needs me, it doesn’t matter how they got in that position, I want to be there to pick them up, dust them off, and help them right the wrong. I have to remind myself that as much as I love my children, God’s love is greater. He wants to speak to me. He won’t turn his back on me when I cry out to him.
Trying to remember that I don’t have the Lord’s perspective on the timeline that is my life. So waiting for His response for any request is usually asking for His perspective on the situation and trusting Him that I may never know what His plans and purposes were for the experienced outcome.
HALEY BAIN – I can so relate to the “giving up” on the salvation of my family members. I’ve been praying for mine for over 30 years. Fervently at first, then occasionally, to now, rarely. In some ways, it is more of a releasing them into God’s hands and will. I know they are watching me closely from comments they make (and some from their mocking), so I need to stay faithful to show them what it means to follow Jesus and let the Spirit do His work on their hearts.
When I have to wait on God, I often lose patience. I’m SO not patient and don’t like not being in control, so I rush to make my own decisions instead. There are countless times that I could/should have waited, but did not. At times, I get caught up in that regret, but I know that God redeems those moments and loves me still.
Kaihla – praying for your brother. I have epilepsy with gran mal seizures as well and I know that terrified feeling. Praying for peace and answers.
I have been patient and impatient. Kind and grumpy. I have experienced many emotions waiting on God. But I am faithful to Him. I believe in Him even when I get upset. I know He is always by my side.
Hailey – thank you for inviting us to stand in the gap for you. Praying for you and your family.
The beauty in what you said is that you feel so inadequate. Praise God it’s not up to us…. He’s the one who can save. He knows the desires of your heart, even if it’s tough to speak them out loud.
I prayed through infertility for years and at one point finally gave up because I was just so tired of saying the same thing over and over. And that’s when my closest friends and family stepped into that space, to pray FOR me. And that’s exactly what you’re doing here – inviting others into that space. I’m celebrating your boldness to share and trusting that God will continue to draw your husband to Himself! God doesn’t demand for us to get results. He just asks us to be faithful.
The beauty in what you said is that you feel so inadequate. Praise God it’s not up to us…. He’s the one who can save. He knows the desires of your heart, even if it’s tough to speak them out loud. I prayed through infertility for years and at one point finally gave up because I was just so
In a society of instant gratification, waiting for anything is hard. Waiting brings us either to a posture of surrender or a posture of trying to take matters into our own hands. More often than not, I try to take matters into my own hands rather than surrendering my will to God’s will and trusting He will provide. I pray that in my current season of waiting I will embrace a posture of surrender over control. I hope everyone has a blessed day <3
I also need some prayer. My brother has had epilepsy for the past six years. He would have gran mal seizures, but then after numerous medication switches, medication withdrawals and all, he had been on stable meds for the past three years. Now he is working at his first job, and he is starting to have seizure activity again. He is terrified, and will most likely have to change meds. Please help me by praying for him, that we find the right medication for him, that god would perform a miracle and heal him.
I saw this on FB and it touched my heart. We do need to keep asking Him!
ASK HIM AGAIN
I know, I know, you’ve already asked Him a million times, I see those eyes rolling.
But today, ask Him a million and one.
Yes.
Ask Him AGAIN.
Ask Him again for that child to come home.
That marriage to be healed.
That mountain to move.
Ask Him again for that friendship to mend.
That work to begin.
That end-of-tunnel light to appear.
Ask Him again for the one who needs rescue, the one who needs healing, the one who needs new direction, new guidance, new focus.
Yes.
Even if that ‘one’ is you.
Ask Him again for what you need.
For what you want.
For joy in the sorrow.
Help in the struggle.
A sip of living-water in the heat of your schedule…and the time to just sit at the well, amen?
Ask Him again.
Ask Him again to provide springs in your land; and while you’re at it, give thanks for that land, no matter how dry it is now, knowing He’s given it to you with good purpose.
Yes.
Ask Him again.
Ask Him again to dig up the soil and plant the seeds.
Ask Him again to stir up and settle, make and remake, pour out His peace that passes all understanding, because frankly; you could use a hefty dose about now.
Yes.
And Amen.
Ask Him again for all that seems lost and all that seems nowhere even near the city of possible…and ask Him believing He can.
Yes.
Ask Him again.
Not because you don’t think He heard you the first million times, but because you are realizing the longer you {truly} live, that persistence is a pretty strong faith-builder; not to mention how close it keeps you to Him for whom all things are possible and nothing is too hard, and because faith-based strength to persevere and closeness with your Creator is what you REALLY need.
Whew. Yes. Absolutely.
Ask Him again.
With fresh eyes and a renewed spirit and a passionate resolve that He can, and if it’s His Will…He will.
And if it’s not, you will keep on asking.
You will keep on seeking.
You will keep on believing.
Because persistent faith is where it’s at.
It fastens it’s gaze on hope.
The hope that is always three steps {Father, Son, Holy Spirit} ahead, providing the perfect focal point.
Yes.
And it never disappoints.
Amen.
So today; bow low, look up, and ask Him AGAIN.
I also need some prayer. My brother has had epilepsy for the past six years. He would have gran mal seizures, but
While waiting for the Lord to answer a prayer, I continue to pray for the outcome I would like to see happen. I continue to read His Word to see what God says about the matter. I examine myself to make sure I am walking in His ways. I continue to trust in His character and Who He has revealed Himself to be. Waiting is difficult. We want to give up and say that God’s answer is “no” when it still might be “not yet”. Since we are finite human beings and do not know all of God’s purposes and plans, we should keep praying for something according to His will until we see that that door is definitely closed for us. In waiting, we must persevere.
In Genesis 18, I love that we see a glimpse of how a man who lived in ancient Israel before the Tabernacle was created and before Jesus came prayed with God throughout his day. Abraham conversed with God while he went about his day. He greeted God into his home. He served God a meal. After the meal, he walked and talked with God. Abraham was bold and confident in his prayers, while at the same time he was being humble. He was able to be bold and confident in praying because he based his prayers on God‘s character, who God is. He was able to be humble in his prayers when he reminded himself of who he was in comparison to God.
We can communicate with God throughout our day. We do not have to be in one particular place, in one particular posture. We can pray with boldness and confidence when we remember who God is. At the same time, we can pray with humility when we remember who we are before God.
I’m so sorry hailey, that’s really tough. I’ll be praying for you. Know that God loves you and your entire family so much.
I feel waiting is the way the Lird dies things with me and it’s not easy. Healing is something I have prayed for for years. Somedays are better than others but I will have to continue to strengthen myself as I wAit for healing. Restoration in my extended family as well
Waiting on God is tough many times but it always revolves around the prayers Jesus said in the garden, “not my will but yours be done”. Sometimes my prayers have been answered in ways I did not anticipate. Many times it isn’t the end result I had hoped for but through the suffering, it brings me closer or refines me as a disciple.
Praying for you Haley. Don’t lose your hope in Jesus. He hears all our prayers and has a plan. It may not be our plan, but His plans are always for our good
Hailey His Word tells us He knows the desires of our hearts. And the Holy Spirit prays for us just through our own groans of pain. We will pray but even in your silence, He knows!
Father, hear all the desires of our hearts! Grant us peace and answer prayers of Your righteous believers through the Bloood of Christ. Amrn
HALEY BAIN – joining you in prayer for your husband and children
KRISTEN – Amen!
I have been waiting for 4 years for my youngest daughter to turn around and come home. She has rejected God, her family and most of her friends. It is a sadness I feel every day. I pray for her every day, several times. That the Holy Spirit will pursue her, stir her heart to what she knows is truth. I pray that there will be other Godly people who come into her life who she will listen to. But the waiting is hard. Often I ask, how long Lord? She was raised in a Christian home. We as parents “trained her up in the way she should go.” When, Lord? Around our home we have a few signs that say “HOPE” – I will not lose hope that God is working in ways that I do not see. I trust Him.
Praying for you and your family. Know that you are not alone ❤️
Remember that Joshua obeyed God and went around the wall 7 times. What if he would have stopped at 6? I know that it’s hard, I’ve been praying for my kids to come back to the Lord for 30 years. And sometimes I see a glimmer of hope, but most times I don’t. But what if you just pray one more time. Remember that you can only control what you can control, and that is your prayer, life, and your relationship with the Lord. God told me a long time ago to stop preaching at my kids. They will see him through the way that I live. the word says that raise your children, the way they should go, and when they’re old they will not depart from it, I have not seen that yet. But I know that his word is true. If I don’t have hope in that, the thing that I desire the most, then I can’t have hoping anything else. And I don’t believe that God would say my kids will come back to the Lord when they are old, if He didn’t mean it. I’m praying for you right now
Waiting on God – what a mess I have made in my life time and time again by NOT waiting. Jumping into relationships that nearly destroyed me, a marriage doomed before it started, types of jobs that were in no way His will. Time and again He has shown His patience with me and love for me – showing me the way to safety and drawing me back to Him as I dealt with the consequences of my choices. Thankful to be able to walk with Him now, praying for guidance and wisdom. Older now and hopefully somewhat wiser, I still need to learn to listen for His voice and direction but am not as quick to jump without waiting.
Great testimonies yesterday, sisters!
Praying for:
CHARITY – healing for your girls
SUE HOLLAR – Alissa, and nephews as well
MOLLY R – healing for your children and rest for you
JENELLE GAYNOR – your brother, sleep and healing
SHARON JONES – your friends with cancer, and their families
KYLEE TARTER – your friends grieving miscarriages
ELAINE MORGAN – praying for Mary Ann & Henry today
❤️❤️ YES!!!
Don’t ever give up on your husbands salvation you might be he’s only light and the most important one to but if you think the battle is hard now when you both are believers the schemes of the evil one really come
Be patient pray that is He’s will stay in the word lay it at he’s feet and know he surely will answer
At the risk of sounding depressing I’m going to be totally honest.
I gave up waiting. I guess somewhere in the busyness of life and the family things I’m going through I stopped praying for salvation for my husband. We’ve been married 7 years and I used to pray earnestly for him to draw near to God. God has brought him a long way. He isn’t the same man he was when we got married but he’s not saved either and now we have two kids who he doesn’t want to raise “too Christian.” My heart is constantly in a state of brokenness whether from the family mess that started two years ago, his salvation and the fact that I feel like I’m never doing enough to help my kids understand God. I’ve never felt so inadequate to do something in my life, to parent! I don’t talk to my friends about the depths of my hurt and pain. I ask for prayer but don’t often pray myself. I’ve seen God do so many mighty works in my life and yet I can’t bring myself to pray for my husband or restoration for my family. I want to change. I need to get back into the habit of prayer. Knowing I’m meeting with my Father, how sacred and holy that is. It’s not something to just rattle off and go about my day. Please pray for me. I’ve never posted before but I’ve read and seen prayers answered. I know God is great but I need to stop letting my flesh get in the way of His greatness.
What prayer?
The key verse says: “because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against
those who do what is evil.”
So I’m asking for prayer for the unsaved that we know or know of. I’m asking for prayer for our government leaders and anyone that has a platform that people follow whether they are saved or not.
By God’s grace, may they all have an encounter with Him, even today, by any means necessary, and be changed. May they see Him rightly and see themselves rightly. I’m asking that they be convicted, repent, and be delivered. I’m asking that they cry out for forgiveness, help, and to be saved. ( I know that even believers need to repent too. As a country and individually, we have all sinned and we desperately need His mercy and forgiveness.) May they/we be changed too. May they/we hate what God hates and love what God loves. If they are leaders or have a voice to stand for what is right, may that happen. May laws and statutes change to be pleasing to God. May the Bible be the standard for how we live. May they/we care more about what God thinks than what people think. I know this change, repentance, and salvation can only happen through His power, mercy, and grace. Oh, please May it be. Amen.
I think it is funny that Sarah tried to lie to God and how Abraham keeps coming back to God, but what if….I want to be the person that advocates for others with God. It is hard to wait on Gods timing, but so many times when He has come through it is better than I could have imagined. Good has a plan for my life and I need to trust Him and keep my faith in Him in good times and in bad.
At the risk of sounding depressing I’m going to be totally honest.
For me to wait on God means that I continue to pray and study my Bible while trusting Him to do His will at the exact right time. I have learned that living in the moment is better than being anxious about what might happen later. I know God will allow what is needed for me to learn what I need to know and if I trust Him through the storms I will survive.
I say that same prayer before my eyes close each night. My Mother taught us that prayer when I was little. Praying for all of you!
“He awakens me each morning; he awakens my ear to listen like those being instructed. The LORD God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I did not turn back.” – Isaiah 50:4-5.
Waiting on the Lord, to me, feels a lot like remembering to listen. Even last night before bed I was praying for God to help me listen to his voice. I pour out my heart to him, but I have a harder time stopping, waiting, and listening. Then through his Word this morning, he reminded me that it is not by my human effort that I can listen/hear. No, instead, it’s because of HIS mercy and grace that I am able to hear his voice. Oh, may we be expectant to hear from the Lord today (and everyday). ❤️
Yes!
Good Morning Shes. “Thanks be to God for a new day & a new chance to begin again”. My prayer as my feet touch the floor. But then, instead of maintaining calm, clarity & consistency, I find myself running & gunning & ending the day depleted & distressed & doubtful. What happens??!! I forget who I am & whose I am. I push, poke & prod instead of wisely watching & staying silent. When I do stop the rapid motion & revisit my journals I see how & when & where the good & Godly work really gets done. It’s not in the whirlwind. It’s in the resting. It’s in rebuilding & repairing relationships. The things that take time & trust. Slow & steady. Not overnight. Not obvious. My marriage. My father. My step children. My self worth. Like the song “Wait for It” from Hamilton. Be willing. Be wanting. My prayer as I turn out the light tonight. The strength & sense to receive His forgiveness & relax in His presence. “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep…”
When the worst possible thing in this world happens to you.. you either die inside or you hold fast to Him/God, if only by your finger tips!
BUT GOD..
When He hears your cries, your rants and raves, your disrespectful words and accusations, and STILL He answers in ways that your mind could never comprend, or imagine..
You feel mercy instead of what is deserved, and you feel love and care instead of distance.. and then as if that alone isn’t enough, you are then gifted with the greatest gift ever( next to Jesus)..
I can tell you, waiting on God is a small thing!
As I know God IS for me, and that He knows my ask, desires and prayers, I can ( mostly) patiently wait on Him.
HE AWAKENS ME EACH MORNING, He guides me to put one foot in front of the other.
HE AWAKENS MY EARS AND HEART TO LISTEN TO HIM. I have learned to trust, believe and Hope in Him..because HE believes and trusts me to put my Hope in Him.
AMEN.
BUT GOD..
Happy Tuesday dear hearts wrapped in love, hugs and prayers for your day to be totally and wonderfully blessed!❤