I remember sitting in a doctor’s office one day. I watched one person go in to see him after another. After two hours, I finally went and checked what was going on and they had misplaced my file. I was not being remembered.

There are times in our lives when we have prayed a long time for something and it feels a bit like God has lost our file. As a result we feel a bit discouraged and that giving up might be something we should consider. According to the Scriptures, that would not be wise. ”Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1

It is challenging, however, when we have prayed about something for a long time, and it seems that God is not listening. As we look from our standpoint, we see no change.

In the story of Luke 18, we meet a widow, in need of some serious justice in her life. Unfortunately, for her, she’s gone to a very indifferent, uncaring judge. She will not give up. The good news about this dear widow, is she does not give up. She is the picture of tenacity and she wears the judge down. He finally gives in.

I am very thankful that the God that you and I go to for the things that weigh on our hearts, is nothing like the unjust judge. God is not indifferent to the things that could keep us awake at night or cause anxiety in the day. God loves and cares for us and invites us every day to pray and not give up!

A question that is on many of our minds however, after we have prayed so long, is why the delay? Here are eight reasons God may delay.

1. God is doing something in us, changing us, even as we pray, and He is not yet finished.

2. God needs more time to get things in order. God never does only one thing at a time. He is the ultimate multi-tasker.

3. Perhaps it is an issue of timing, and this is not the right time.

4. There are times that God is actually answering our prayer, but we do not see it. We do not know or see everything.

5. Always remember, God does not delay one moment longer than he must. He is not like the unjust, un-caring judge.

6. In persistence before the throne of God, as we travail in prayer, God teaches us about being faithful and believing Him and His Word.

7. There is a beautiful story that God is weaving together, and it will be a story you will tell over and over again. But it will come after a season of prayer.

8. As in all of life, there are seasons. One of them is travailing in prayer and it is very important that we continue in it and don’t give up.

Dear Father,

Thank you for hearing me when I pray. Thank you for the reminder that I should never give up praying for different things in my life and the lives of those you’ve called me to pray for. Thank you that nothing is too difficult for you, and you are faithful. Where faith is waning in my life, would you build it up! Thank you.

In Jesus’ name

Amen