Advent December 15, 2006

A Powerful Answer to Prayer

Light: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

Reflection: Do you have a Zechariah prayer? Is there something you've longed for, prayed about, and then questioned God's timing? Do you believe God is hearing you? No doubt Zechariah, an old man, yet to be called into the holy temple, might have felt like that. But he was faithful, and he remained righteous.

Maybe you've been faithful, but your "nothing is impossible with God" prayer remains unanswered. But in one momentous encounter, God answered Zechariah's prayers of the past, present, plus the prayers of thousands of Jews for many centuries.
God's answers and ways are not always our ways (Romans 11:33-34). God's timing is not always our timing. Can you imagine how God might have longed to give Zechariah and Elizabeth the whole picture during the decades they prayed for a child?

"Zechariah, you will have a child, and he won't just be any child. He will prepare the way for the Messiah!" What glorious new that would have been for a younger Zechariah. What glorious news it should have been for an older Zechariah. Instead, Zechariah said he needed a sign.

Sometimes God says "Yes"; sometimes, "No"; and sometimes, "Wait." Why he finally answered Zechariah's prayers with a "Yes, I heard you," and does not answer all the prayers of the righteous with a "Yes," I do not know.

I have an aunt with treatable, but incurable lymphoma. Why God doesn't make it treatable and curable, I do not know. But she remains faithful in thanksgiving and praise, and she is an example to many of the benefits of being a prayer warrior.

We can look to Zechariah and have great hope. God has a plan. The Lord heard Zechariah. He hears you. Ask Him for what you need. Do not become discouraged. Stay near to Him. Be faithful in prayer. He loves you.

Response: Omniscient Father, You know what I've been bringing to you over and over and over. As I pray today, I understand You know what's best for me. You see the bigger picture, and you know the proper timing. Help me be faithful and righteous as I wait on Your plan and Your answer. Amen.

Remember these are from Lifeway