Far More

Jeremiah 29:¹¹ “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out. I alone know the plans I have for you—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.” (MSG & GNT)

Why should I keep praying even though the answers appear to be delayed? Firstly, persistent prayer focuses me on God. Secondly, persistent prayer clarifies my request. The third reason why I should keep praying is, Persistent Praying Prepares Me For The Answer. When I persist in prayer, I get prepared for the answer because God usually wants to do what I am asking for but in a better way than I am asking for. God usually wants to do what you are asking for in a much better way. They say that prayer changes things and it is true, prayer actually changes things. But I have discovered that the first and the greatest thing that prayer changes is me.

Ephesians 3:²⁰ “Now, glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us, is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or ever dream of – infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” (LB, emphasis added). I want you to pause right now and think of the most impossible request you could ever make. What would it be? God is saying He can beat that. So, when answers are delayed it is not so much as in what God can do, or not do, or wants to do. It is because He is actually preparing me for the answer, preparing you for the answer. God can do exceedingly and abundantly more than you can ask. If not why else would He say, ask and keep on asking? Why then would He guarantee us that everyone that asks receives?

Elon Musk had the vision to set up commercial travel to outer space and today it is a reality. The truth is that dream of his looked and sounded really crazy a few years ago, outrageous even. But the God we serve is not a respecter of persons. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ever ask or imagine. Do not let a delayed answer stop you from pushing forward, praying, and believing God for the best. Do not let anything stop you. Believe God for the best. My outrageous dream growing up was to become a pilot. I wanted to fly a plane and today that dream has become a reality. It does not look so outrageous anymore.

Now I want to fly a rocket that goes to Mars, and to Jupiter if it is habitable. I do not just want to pay to be a passenger, I want to be the one to fly the rocket. This looks outrageous right now, but maybe a few years down the line it will not be. God is saying no matter how outrageous it sounds, He is able to do exceedingly abundantly more.

Prayer: Father, even as You give me the grace to seek Your face, please prepare me for all the great and mind-blowing things You have prepared for me, in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen!