I’d
been meditating on Andrew Murray’s sixteenth lesson about Persevering Prayer in
With Christ in the School of Prayer, as I headed out to spend a retreat day with
precious clergy spouses.
Murray
said, “It (real faith) knows for certain that not a single believing prayer can
fail of its effect in heaven, but has its influence, and is treasured up to
work out an answer in due time to him who persevereth to the end. It knows that
it has to do not with human thoughts or possibilities, but with the word of the
living God.”
My
“real faith” shook as it struggled to believe that indeed God was acting in a
matter over which I had long prayed.
When
I left home, the sun shone, but as I turned the car to the west, the sky grew
increasingly dark, almost ominous. It seemed an illustration of my inner
struggle.
On
the radio, this song about waiting played. Waiting. Waiting. Days, Weeks,
Months, Years.
Then,
against the sky’s gloomy backdrop, God provided this reminder of his unbroken
promises.
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As I watched, the arc grew from ninety to a full one hundred and eighty degrees, the promise spanning from horizon to horizon
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“Faith
takes and holds the answer in the promise, as an unseen spiritual possession,
rejoices in it, and praises for it. “ Andrew Murray
Here
I was literally wrapped in God’s promise. Thank you, God. Thank you.
At
the retreat, each table of clergy spouses presented a skit; one of Lazarus being raised was so
timely because of the seeming impossibility of it all. Then
later, a sweet sister sang the faithfulness of God through this song about Lazarus, which says
that even though it may sometimes seem God is delayed in his responding, he’s
never late.
In
addition, our lovely speaker pointed out that Jesus said, “Lazarus, come forth,”
specifically because if he hadn’t singled him out by name, the entire cemetery
would have risen from the dead because of his powerful words. Another reminder of how mighty the God we serve really is.
I
almost didn’t go to this retreat, because of other conflicts, but I left
knowing God had woven a golden thread throughout the day’s events tying them
together to bring assurance of his faithfulness and encouragement to persevere
in prayer.
If
you’re waiting, wrap yourself in the promises of God, keep praying, and watch
for Him. He will not be late.
“Jesus
told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently
and never quit” (Luke 18:1 The Message).