Prayer: Answer To, Delayed
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In the Christian faith, prayer is a vital means of communication with God, and believers often seek answers to their prayers. However, there are instances where the response to prayer is delayed, which can serve various divine purposes. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on this topic, illustrating that delayed answers are part of God's sovereign plan and timing.

Biblical Examples of Delayed Answers to Prayer

1. Abraham and Sarah: One of the most notable examples of delayed answers to prayer is the account of Abraham and Sarah. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, yet Sarah remained barren for many years. Genesis 21:1-2 states, "Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him." This delay tested their faith and ultimately demonstrated God's faithfulness and power.

2. Hannah: In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah's fervent prayers for a child were initially met with silence. Her persistence in prayer and faithfulness eventually led to the birth of Samuel, a significant prophet in Israel. 1 Samuel 1:20 records, "So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, 'Because I have asked for him from the LORD.'"

3. Daniel: The prophet Daniel experienced a delay in receiving an answer to his prayer in Daniel 10. After praying and fasting for three weeks, an angel appeared to him, explaining that the delay was due to spiritual warfare. Daniel 10:12-13 says, "Then he said to me, 'Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.'"

Reasons for Delayed Answers

1. Testing and Strengthening Faith: Delayed answers can serve to test and strengthen the faith of believers. James 1:3-4 teaches, "because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

2. God's Perfect Timing: God's timing is perfect, and He may delay answers to align with His greater plan. Ecclesiastes 3:11 states, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work God has done from beginning to end."

3. Spiritual Warfare: As seen in Daniel's experience, spiritual warfare can be a reason for delayed answers. Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

4. Preparation for Greater Blessings: Sometimes, God delays answers to prepare believers for greater blessings. Romans 8:28 assures, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."

Encouragement for Believers

Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in prayer, trusting in God's wisdom and timing. Philippians 4:6-7 exhorts, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This passage highlights the importance of maintaining a prayerful attitude, even when answers are delayed, and trusting in God's peace and provision.
Nave's Topical Index
Psalm 22:1,2
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
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Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry.
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Psalm 80:4
O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry against the prayer of your people?
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Psalm 88:14
LORD, why cast you off my soul? why hide you your face from me?
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Jeremiah 42:7
And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah.
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Habakkuk 1:2
O LORD, how long shall I cry, and you will not hear! even cry out to you of violence, and you will not save!
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Luke 18:7
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night to him, though he bear long with them?
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Library

Prayer and Importunity
... To test this, He delays the answer. The superficial pray-er subsides into silence,
when the answer is delayed. But the man of prayer hangs on, and on. ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/vi prayer and importunity.htm

Answer on the Different Reasons for Prayer Being Heard.
... for fear lest perhaps the gift of the answer be in God's providence delayed, or
the ... He says: "All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxxiv answer on the.htm

That More Might be Given and Gotten.
... And it tells too how grateful she was for a God who in great patience and of
strong deliberate purpose delayed the answer to her prayer. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on prayer/that more might be given.htm

Christ's Prayer Answered.
... until they were baptized with the Holy Ghost. Christ's prayer found audience
and the answer was not long delayed. HEART CLEANSING. ...
/.../rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter iv christs prayer answered.htm

Eighth Lesson. Because of his Importunity;'
... O what a deep heavenly mystery this is of persevering prayer. ... trust their rich Friend
in heaven, that He trains them, in the school of answer delayed, to find ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/eighth lesson because of his.htm

Waiting on the Lord
... for them, reached out after them, and yet your prayer is not ... He tells us why he delayed
in this case"it was ... In the proper time and way the answer will be sure ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk twenty-two waiting on the.htm

My God Will Hear Me
... What a blessed prospect in my work"to know that even when the answer is long delayed,
and there is a call for much patient, persevering prayer, the truth ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xii my god will.htm

Sixteenth Lesson. Speedily, Though Bearing Long;'
... in this school of the answer delayed, is the temptation to think that, after all,
it may not be God's will to give us what we ask. If our prayer be according ...
/.../sixteenth lesson speedily though bearing.htm

The Delays of Love
... though delayed. For instance, Peter is in prison. The Church keeps praying for him;
prays on, day after day. No answer. The week of the feast comes. Prayer is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the delays of love.htm

Daniel, the Praying Captive
... us between those spirits sent to minister to us in answer to our ... furthermore gives
us some intimation as to the cause of delayed answers to prayer. ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/x daniel the praying captive.htm

Resources
What is fervent prayer (James 5:16)? | GotQuestions.org

What is listening prayer? Are listening prayers biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Is there evidence that God answers prayer? | GotQuestions.org

Prayer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Answers To Prayer: A Motive for Continued Prayer

Answers To Prayer: Abraham

Answers To Prayer: Abraham's Servant

Answers To Prayer: Apostles

Answers To Prayer: Asa

Answers To Prayer: Blind Man

Answers To Prayer: Christ Gives

Answers To Prayer: Christ Received

Answers To Prayer: Cornelius

Answers To Prayer: Daniel

Answers To Prayer: David

Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who are Blood Shedders

Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who are Deaf to the Cry of the Poor

Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who are Hypocrites

Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who are Idolaters

Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who are Proud

Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who are Self-Righteous

Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who are the Enemies of Saints

Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who are Wavering

Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who: Ask Amiss

Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who: Cruelly Oppress Saints

Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who: Forsake God

Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who: Hear not the Law

Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who: Live in Sin

Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who: Offer Unworthy Service to God

Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who: Regard Iniquity in the Heart

Answers To Prayer: Denied to Those Who: Reject the Call of God

Answers To Prayer: Elijah

Answers To Prayer: Elisha

Answers To Prayer: Ezra

Answers To Prayer: God Gives

Answers To Prayer: Granted: Beyond Expectation

Answers To Prayer: Granted: Sometimes After Delay

Answers To Prayer: Granted: Sometimes Differently from Our Desire

Answers To Prayer: Granted: Sometimes Immediately

Answers To Prayer: Granted: Through the Grace of God

Answers To Prayer: Hannah

Answers To Prayer: Hezekiah

Answers To Prayer: Israelites

Answers To Prayer: Jabez

Answers To Prayer: Jacob

Answers To Prayer: Jehoahaz

Answers To Prayer: Jehoshaphat

Answers To Prayer: Jeremiah

Answers To Prayer: Job

Answers To Prayer: Jonah

Answers To Prayer: Lot

Answers To Prayer: Man of God

Answers To Prayer: Manasseh

Answers To Prayer: Moses

Answers To Prayer: Nehemiah

Answers To Prayer: Paul

Answers To Prayer: Paul and Silas

Answers To Prayer: Promised

Answers To Prayer: Promised Especially in Times of Trouble

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who are Poor and Needy

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who are Righteous

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Abide in Christ

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Ask According to God's Will

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Ask in Faith

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Ask in the Name of Christ

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Call Upon God in Truth

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Call Upon God Under Affliction

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Call Upon God Under Oppression

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Fear God

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Humble Themselves

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Keep God's Commandments

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Return to God

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Seek God

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Seek God With all the Heart

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Set Their Love Upon God

Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Wait Upon God

Answers To Prayer: Refusal of Elders of Israel

Answers To Prayer: Refusal of Pharisees

Answers To Prayer: Refusal of Saul

Answers To Prayer: Saints are Assured of

Answers To Prayer: Saints: Bless God For

Answers To Prayer: Saints: Love God For

Answers To Prayer: Saints: Praise God For

Answers To Prayer: Samson

Answers To Prayer: Samuel

Answers To Prayer: Solomon

Answers To Prayer: The Christians

Answers To Prayer: Thief on the Cross

Answers To Prayer: Zacharias

Intercessory Prayer by Ministers for Their People

Intercessory Prayer: Abraham

Intercessory Prayer: Abraham's Servant

Intercessory Prayer: Beneficial to the offerer

Intercessory Prayer: Christ Set an Example of

Intercessory Prayer: Church of Jerusalem

Intercessory Prayer: Commanded

Intercessory Prayer: Daniel

Intercessory Prayer: David

Intercessory Prayer: Elisha

Intercessory Prayer: Encouragement To

Intercessory Prayer: Epaphras

Intercessory Prayer: Ezekiel

Intercessory Prayer: Hezekiah

Intercessory Prayer: Isaiah

Intercessory Prayer: Moses

Intercessory Prayer: Nehemiah

Intercessory Prayer: Paul

Intercessory Prayer: Peter and John

Intercessory Prayer: Philemon

Intercessory Prayer: Samuel

Intercessory Prayer: Seek an Interest In

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: All in Authority

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: All Men

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: All Saints

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: Children

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: Enemies Among Whom we Dwell

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: Fellow-Countrymen

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: Friends

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: Kings

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: Masters

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: Ministers

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: Persecutors

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: Servants

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: The Church

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: The Sick

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: Those Who Envy Us

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: Those Who Forsake Us

Intercessory Prayer: should be offered up For: Those Who Murmur Against God

Intercessory Prayer: Sin of Neglecting

Intercessory Prayer: Solomon

Intercessory Prayer: Stephen

Intercessory Prayer: Unavailing for the Obstinately-Impenitent

Prayer

Prayer and Fasting

Prayer by Abraham

Prayer by Abraham's Servant

Prayer by Cornelius

Prayer by Jacob

Prayer by Moses, Supplicating for Assistance in Delivering Israel

Prayer for Healing

Prayer for Mercy and Grace to Help in Time of Need

Prayer for Spiritual Blessings

Prayer for Temporal Blessings

Prayer for the Comforter (The Holy Spirit) to Come

Prayer in a Loud Voice, Satirized by Elijah

Prayer in Behalf of Peter

Prayer in Distress

Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane

Prayer in the Wilderness

Prayer is Described as Beseeching the Lord

Prayer is Described as Bowing the Knees

Prayer is Described as Calling Upon the Name of the Lord

Prayer is Described as Crying to God

Prayer is Described as Crying to Heaven

Prayer is Described as Drawing Near to God

Prayer is Described as Lifting up the Heart

Prayer is Described as Lifting up the Soul

Prayer is Described as Looking Up

Prayer is Described as Making Supplication

Prayer is Described as Pouring out the Heart

Prayer is Described as Pouring out the Soul

Prayer is Described as Seeking the Face of the Lord

Prayer is Described as Seeking to God

Prayer of Balaam

Prayer of David

Prayer of Habakkuk

Prayer of Job

Prayer of Joseph

Prayer of Joshua

Prayer of Manasses

Prayer of Moses, at the Red Sea

Prayer of Pharisees

Prayer of Scribes

Prayer of the Apostles

Prayer of the Israelites, when Attacked by the Amorites

Prayer of the Righteous, Avails Much

Prayer of the Tax Collector

Prayer of the Upright, a Delight to God

Prayer without Ceasing

Prayer:

Prayer: "The Lord's Prayer"

Prayer: Acceptable Through Christ

Prayer: Accompanied With: Confession

Prayer: Accompanied With: Fasting

Prayer: Accompanied With: Praise

Prayer: Accompanied With: Repentance

Prayer: Accompanied With: Self-Abasement

Prayer: Accompanied With: Thanksgiving

Prayer: Accompanied With: Watchfulness

Prayer: Accompanied With: Weeping

Prayer: After the Supper

Prayer: All Night

Prayer: An Evidence of Conversion

Prayer: Anna

Prayer: Answer To, Delayed

Prayer: Answer To, Promise

Prayer: Answered

Prayer: Answered for Abimelech

Prayer: Answered for God's Favor Under the Reproofs of Azariah

Prayer: Answered for Ishmael

Prayer: Answered for Sodom

Prayer: Answered: Abijah, for Victory Over Jeroboam

Prayer: Answered: Abraham, for a Son

Prayer: Answered: Abraham's Servant, for Guidance

Prayer: Answered: Ammon

Prayer: Answered: Asa, for Victory Over Zerah

Prayer: Answered: Cain

Prayer: Answered: Centurion, for his Servant

Prayer: Answered: Daniel, for the Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzars Dream

Prayer: Answered: Daniel, in a Vision

Prayer: Answered: Daniel, Interceding for the People

Prayer: Answered: David, Asking About Ziklag

Prayer: Answered: David, Asking Whether he should Go Into Judah After Saul's Death

Prayer: Answered: David, Asking Whether he should Go to War Against the Philistines

Prayer: Answered: David, Asking Whether Keilah Would be Delivered Into his Hands

Prayer: Answered: David, in Adversity

Prayer: Answered: Elijah, Asking for Rain

Prayer: Answered: Elijah, Calling for Fire to Come Down Upon his Sacrifice

Prayer: Answered: Elijah, Raising the Widow's Son

Prayer: Answered: Elisha, Leading the Syrian Army

Prayer: Answered: Ezekiel, to Have the Baking of his Bread of Affliction Changed

Prayer: Answered: from Babylonian Bondage

Prayer: Answered: from Bondage

Prayer: Answered: from Pharaoh's Army

Prayer: Answered: from the King of Mesopotamia

Prayer: Answered: Gideon, Asking for the Token of Dew

Prayer: Answered: Hagar, for Deliverance

Prayer: Answered: Hannah, Asking to Give Birth to a Child

Prayer: Answered: Hezekiah and Isaiah, for Deliverance from Sennacherib

Prayer: Answered: Jabez, Asking for Prosperity

Prayer: Answered: Jacob, for Deliverance from Esau

Prayer: Answered: Jehoahaz, for Victory Over Hazael

Prayer: Answered: Jehoshaphat, for Victory Over the Canaanites

Prayer: Answered: Manasseh, for Deliverance from the King of Babylon

Prayer: Answered: Manoah, Asking About Samson

Prayer: Answered: Moses, Aaron, and Samuel

Prayer: Answered: Moses, at Mount Horeb

Prayer: Answered: Moses, at the Waters of Marah

Prayer: Answered: Moses, Concerning the Complaint of the Israelites for Meat

Prayer: Answered: Moses, for Help at the Red Sea

Prayer: Answered: Moses, in the Battle With the Amalekites

Prayer: Answered: Moses, on Behalf of Miriam's Leprosy

Prayer: Answered: Paul, to be Restored to Health

Prayer: Answered: Peter, Asking T

Related Terms

Kneeled (12 Occurrences)

Confessed (19 Occurrences)

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Hannah (13 Occurrences)

Agony (20 Occurrences)

Possible (133 Occurrences)

Amoz (14 Occurrences)

Acknowledge (61 Occurrences)

Praying (71 Occurrences)

Beyond (209 Occurrences)

Hezeki'ah (120 Occurrences)

Kneeling (12 Occurrences)

Using (88 Occurrences)

Leaving (80 Occurrences)

Withdrew (55 Occurrences)

Fervently (7 Occurrences)

Farther (33 Occurrences)

Fasted (20 Occurrences)

Tabitha (2 Occurrences)

Repeatedly (28 Occurrences)

Distance (75 Occurrences)

Constantly (47 Occurrences)

Sennach'erib (13 Occurrences)

Short (128 Occurrences)

O (1414 Occurrences)

Boldly (26 Occurrences)

Builded (65 Occurrences)

Prayers (99 Occurrences)

Face (780 Occurrences)

Placed (297 Occurrences)

Attitudes (1 Occurrence)

Ship (122 Occurrences)

Restrained (51 Occurrences)

Proceeded (72 Occurrences)

Ground (538 Occurrences)

Ezra (28 Occurrences)

Rain (118 Occurrences)

Earnestly (78 Occurrences)

Forward (252 Occurrences)

Whereas (55 Occurrences)

Eli'sha (52 Occurrences)

Pass (1172 Occurrences)

Wept (78 Occurrences)

Fasting (34 Occurrences)

Fell (331 Occurrences)

Cup (86 Occurrences)

Sennacherib (13 Occurrences)

Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)

Confession (22 Occurrences)

Stood (491 Occurrences)

Desire (565 Occurrences)

Ghost (123 Occurrences)

Desert (322 Occurrences)

Samson (37 Occurrences)

Prayer (406 Occurrences)

Jonah (30 Occurrences)

Departed (270 Occurrences)

Laid (552 Occurrences)

Wherever (107 Occurrences)

Jeremiah (141 Occurrences)

Hezekiah (124 Occurrences)

Chosen (197 Occurrences)

Yielded (28 Occurrences)

Quite (55 Occurrences)

Quenched (22 Occurrences)

Vote (3 Occurrences)

Visited (40 Occurrences)

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)

Kingdoms (65 Occurrences)

Keepest (16 Occurrences)

Knower (1 Occurrence)

Nevertheless (153 Occurrences)

Ninth (35 Occurrences)

Nerijah (8 Occurrences)

Needy (83 Occurrences)

Neriah (10 Occurrences)

Unjust (44 Occurrences)

Upstairs (8 Occurrences)

Prayer: Anna
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