By Dorothy Kozar – Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Too many times I long to arrive at something, only to find out that I already have it. Apparently, I am not alone, as this issue is continuously brought before me as a minister. Many requests for prayer are the same prayers that have gone on for years.
What to do?
I’ve noticed the Lord’s pattern of leading me to direct myself and others to modify our prayers to receive what He has already made available. Otherwise, our attitude of prayer is always future.
Stake a Claim
Life shouldn’t be wasted spinning our wheels. Not only do we need to get out of the mud but also throw down traction for others who seek help.
Let’s pray… “I praise you Father God and thank you for a spiritual revelation of truth. I now claim, what is rightfully mine, by the blood of Jesus, in his name.” Now plant your flag and stake a claim.
We see a revelation of the very heart of God when He put man and woman in the Garden of Eden. Everything was already provided. It was good, very good.
We can only imagine the extravagant beauty. There was no sickness, toil or lack of any kind.
Image courtesy of Open Clipart
Then came the big lie that God is holding out on us. Lack is associated with believing a lie.
However, Jesus, The Truth, restored what was lost. We don’t have to wait for him to do this. He already did it. Of course, we pray.
“We have not because we ask not,” but what are we asking for and how are we asking?
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ…” 2 Corinthians 2:14 KJV
“Who hath [already] delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” Colossians 1:13 KJV
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:12 NKJV
I can’t find Jesus telling anyone to come back tomorrow to be fed or to wait for their healing. He didn’t leave them possessed.
Sometimes waiting can cost a life. My freedom from a dangerous abuser was delayed until I changed my prayer based on truth.
Yes, we must wait for some things like the rapture, our new bodies and that everlasting city. In the meantime, why settle for unnecessary delays?
Waiting is Not Inactive
Waiting doesn’t necessarily mean not doing anything. Our posture is of worship, praise and thanksgiving… not forgetting all His benefits, praying the promises and declaring.
“Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee…” Job 22:28
He didn’t say “someday,” or if you are good enough. Let’s not wander in the wilderness when the promise land is at hand.
What do we do though when we see no answer? We think we prayed in faith, then nothing. The devil mocks, “Keep waiting,” or “Look how much time has passed. Why don’t you give up? It didn’t work.”
What do we say to those who have not yet seen specific prayers manifested? That’s tough, but we know that the thief is still at work. Be strong in Jesus. Praise silences the voice of the enemy.
“Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger.” Psalm 8:2 NKJV
In the next nanosecond the prayer can become manifested. We stand, regardless.
The cloud of witnesses died before seeing the Lord. They hoped in the eternal city. Hope is not “a maybe,” but an expecting assurance.
Their faith was not in vain. That city is coming, and they will see it. They believed in a savior before he came. We believe in him after his first coming, but both are accounted for righteousness. Time is irrelevant when we grasp the faithfulness of God.
We’re on earth for a certain period of time. From an evangelistic standpoint, we may have only today to impact someone.
Redeem the time. Today is the day of salvation; otherwise, it’s always tomorrow.
Let’s not automatically assume that we have to wait for everything.
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12 NKJV
Scripture regularly tells us, “wait with patience.” This is to encourage us not to grow weary.
Let’s not faint when the enemy appears as a blocker, because our God is a blesser! Rest in the finished work of Jesus.
