Prayer is a gift from God and also one of life’s greatest mysteries. A miraculous healing. A new job fulfilling your career dream. A change in heart. Relationships restored.

However, there is another part to prayer. The hospital patient who doesn’t get better. The car repair estimated at $3500 – which is $3500 more than you have in savings. Employer rejection. The toxic co-worker who keeps getting worse even though you’ve prayed years for them.

The frustration is that we can’t control it. We love control. The normal standard for me now is Prime deliveries (next day or the day of). Instant downloads. On demand. Food ready to go exactly when I arrive. I want my prayers to be the same – I don’t have the time or the patience to be in it for the long haul. Maybe that’s the problem. Perhaps I need to work on my time and patience in my relationship with God and others??? Yup.

A great example of waiting, not knowing the outcome, and God not making sense is found in the story of Joshua and his people marching around the Walls of Jericho. Please read the entire story in Joshua Chapter 6 to get the full context. Here is the highlight reel:

*The great leader of Israel, Moses, is now dead. God named Joshua his successor.

*God is leading the nation of Israel to a new promised land called Cannan. A giant city with evil residents called Jericho stands in the way.

*God gives a strange command to Joshua. He and all of his people should march around the city 6 times. On the 7th time, they are told by God to blow trumpets and give a loud shout.

*After 7 laps, the walls crumble, and Joshua and the people are victorious in taking over the city.

Here is an excellent perspective from Natalie Runion, who has a site on Instagram called “Raised to Stay”:

I know you’re tired of marching around the same wall, but what if today is the day it falls (7th lap)? Your weapon isn’t speedy defeat, rather patient endurance. Fast food prayers vs. Spirit-filled intercession – what I want when I want vs. Kingdom victory. Breaking generational curses, winning a nation, taking back our families and cities – there isn’t a quick fix, it’s a daily fight to show up and walk the territory given to us . . . What would happen if we stayed long enough to see the victory? The healing? The reconciliation? A God who never loses is leading the way. Today you are weary but tomorrow comes your shout – for God is bringing you a victory.

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18).

Blessings,

Dave 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/author/davidrische