Topical Encyclopedia
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 Prayer1.
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 Answers1.
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 BelieversBelievers 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 22:1,2My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
Nave's Topical IndexPsalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry.
Nave's Topical Index
Psalm 80:4
O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry against the prayer of your people?
Nave's Topical Index
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?
Nave's Topical Index
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.orgWhat is listening prayer? Are listening prayers biblical? | GotQuestions.orgIs there evidence that God answers prayer? | GotQuestions.orgPrayer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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