18 ABIDE PATIENTLY IN PRAYER.

Continuing steadfastly in prayer.

     —Romans 12:12

This phrase in the Greek implies that we need to dwell, abide, even to rest in prayer. Urgent prayer isn’t about needing an answer now. Praying with urgency has to do with being urgent to get alone with God, to withdraw immediately into His presence, to rush to meet with Him now.

Once there, once we enter the secret place under the shadow of His wings (Ps. 91), we can rest, abide, wait patiently and confidently in Him. Before we prayed, His answer was there. Before we came, He was waiting for us. Before we asked, He had prepared a table, yes even a feast for us.

Jesus stands at the door of our hearts (Rev. 3:20) and knocks. We are the ones resisting not God. We are the ones restless, not God.

Abiding patiently in prayer means …

     •     Always keeping our heart’s door open to Jesus.

     •     Always trusting that His way and timing are best …

     •     Always resting in Him instead of rushing around trying to find Him.

     •     Always dwelling at His place instead of maintaining our place.

     •     Always waiting for Him instead of impatiently wanting from Him.

     •     Always listening without interrupting.

Prayer isn’t talking with God on our terms; prayer listens to God abiding by His terms. When we feel God hasn’t answered, it’s only a feeling. Feelings are always real but not always reality.

The truth is that God always answers but we must patiently wait for His timing and way. I want an answer in my time. He gives His answer in His time.

Abiding patiently in prayer is hard until we finally surrender our will to His, our way to His and our wants to His.

God,

Grant me the patience to wait for Your answer, instead of lobbying incessantly for my answer. Grant me the desire to unlock the door and throw away the key, so that You always have free access to my soul. Amen.