Prayer doesn’t work. This statement came from my 7-year grandson who had asked his mom and dad for a dog before his 7th birthday. He did not believe he would get it so I told him to pray. He did. Eight months later after receiving many other gifts that he loved but no puppy, he apparently gave up.
While driving home one day, he almost knocked me off my feet when he said “GranShell, Prayer Doesn’t Work”. Indeed his statement surprised me. It got me thinking. How many times we as adults become disappointed in the Lord’s seemingly unresponsiveness to our pleas for something we consider important to us? What my grandson did not know was that his parents were contemplating his request… but of course a dog comes with major responsibilities. These include considering the actual type of dog to get (one that was hypoallergenic); the cost to care for a dog including health insurance and such; whether he is ready to take care of the puppy, among others.
Doesn’t the Lord do the same? He is answering …but often He wants to give us the right things at the right time–when we are ready for it. We can think of examples like Moses. The delay was to prepare him so he took him away from pharaoh’s palace and sent him to become a shepherd. Later when he was ready, he used him to lead the children of Israel out of oppression. Joseph too was innocently sent to prison for a crime he had not committed. Joseph’s trials were divine in order to prepare him for bigger things. He later had the responsibility for the land during a major famine.
Today, may we have hope that the Lord is coming through for us some way, some how. Be patient …wait. He’s got you.
Blessings overflow,