Written by Katie on January 10, 2022

Prayer, Power, and Patience a personal experience

Read Isaiah 40

This afternoon I was praying as I was driving. I was praying for my brother, who is in the hospital, and has been there almost a month now. As I was praying and asking Yehovah God to do a miracle again, a few songs came on that aligned with my prayers. Reminders that God the Creator of heaven and earth is indeed the God of miracles. ( I will add a link to the songs at the end of this post.) As I continued to pray, I thought of all the times Yehovah has indeed moved mountains in my life and the lives of those in my family. I said, “God, I know you are capable of instantly healing Michael, and I know you are the God that makes away, why does it seem that you are making us wait for this miracle.”

You see, I truly believe my brother is going to survive and be healed from this terrible case of Covid pneumonia. I do not doubt that God will heal him, but like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego even if God would chose to take my brother to Himself in death, I fully trust in His Sovereign Will. I am not afraid of the fire, or the pain it might cause, I know that whatever tests are ahead for me and my family, Our Creator and Redeemer will see us through and in the end bring us Home to Glory.

But as I discussed this with God Almighty, whom allows me to speak to speak to Him, even though I am so unworthy. He saw fit to make me worthy through the death and resurrection of His Son. As I spoke to him, I boldly, inquired at the delay in Michael’s healing. It was at this time the radio station I was listening to played a sermon on Isaiah 40 by Alistair Begg.

https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/truth-for-life/

As I listened to this teaching, I knew Yehovah was answering my prayer, my questioning of Him. Instead, of yelling at my that I had no right to question Him, He gently reminded me of Who He is.

I began thinking again of the most recent miracles in my life. There were many that God answered so very quickly. But there were also many that I had to be patient and trust Him in. I remember when I was a little girl I prayed for patience. It became a joke in our family that every time we had a long trial it was because of this prayer request I made as a little girl.

The word we use for patience in the scriptures is better translated as long suffering. Why would God want us to suffer and endure sickness, trials, and pain? Surely, it is a lack of faith on my part that He isn’t moving quickly to answer my prayers. As I listened to that radio broadcast, I was reminded that God does not need my counsel, advice, opinion, or approval. He requires only that I place my trust in Him, and obey Him with my whole heart. If I do that, I can KNOW that He is indeed in control and His timing is perfect.

When my daughter Rachel was expecting her babies, both times, I prayed and prayed. I knew it was the Spirit calling me to pray. My heart actually hurt as I prayed and waited and waited for God to answer the prayer of my heart. When this season of prayer hit its climax and I almost lost my daughter and grandson to earthly death, I felt as if my heart might actually break into a million pieces and I would die too. But, in those days, hours, and minutes of uncertainty, there was actually certainty in the knowledge that the God of the universe, was in control, He loves my children even more than I do, and He intends all THINGS for His ultimate GOOD.

People ask me about prayer, and God’s power, and it can be hard to explain at times. But, I truly believe that if you seek God, He will indeed be found. Start by reading His Book, over and over again. He speaks to us through it first. Then once you know God’s character from reading His Book, start praying to Him like the men and women did in His Book. Pray like David in the Psalms, pray like Paul in his letters, pray like Hannah in Samuel, and pray like our Messiah in the Gospels. When we pray the Words of Scripture we not only learn the heart of God, but we also learn His heart language. Lastly, when you pray listen, pay attention to circumstances around you, listen to others as they share their experiences, and knowledge, and listen to the words on songs and teachings. Feel, pay attention to the feelings of answered prayer. God’s presence is comforting, it feels warm in your chest. His presence can also feel like a blanket that comes over you of warmth. Often the presence of Yehovah will feel like goose bumps as we recognize the answer to our prayers and questions. God’s answers do NOT create more anxiety, God’s answers do not create doubt. If you are praying and seeking God, and feel these feelings, you need to stop and ask God to remove lying spirits from your presence.

God is with His people and He wants to comfort us, and He wants to heal us, and He wants us to trust Him. We do that by daily seeking Him in Truth. So, as my brother lays in a hospital bed in Detroit, I wait and trust that Yehovah will show Himself Great and Mighty as always. I wait for His perfect timing, and I trust that He will do what He always does for His people. He will answer our prayers, and He will show Himself Glorious. Just wait and see!