Topical Bible: Answers To Prayer: Granted: Sometimes After Delay

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In the Christian faith, prayer is a vital means of communication with God, and believers often seek divine intervention or guidance through it. However, the timing of God's response to prayer can vary, and sometimes answers are granted after a period of delay. This delay can serve various purposes, including the testing of faith, the development of patience, or the alignment of circumstances according to God's perfect will.

Biblical Examples:

1. Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 21:1-2): Abraham and Sarah longed for a child, and God promised them a son. However, the fulfillment of this promise was delayed for many years. "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" (Genesis 21:1-2). This delay tested their faith and ultimately demonstrated God's faithfulness.

2. Hannah (1 Samuel 1:19-20): Hannah fervently prayed for a child, and her prayers were answered after a period of barrenness. "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'" (1 Samuel 1:20). The delay in answering her prayer led to a deepened faith and a profound dedication of her son to the Lord.

3. Daniel (Daniel 10:12-13): Daniel's prayer for understanding was delayed due to spiritual warfare. An angel explained, "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" (Daniel 10:12-13). This account reveals that delays can occur due to unseen spiritual battles.

4. Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:13-14): Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous before God, yet they were childless until their old age. An angel announced, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John" (Luke 1:13). The delay in their answered prayer resulted in the birth of John the Baptist, who played a crucial role in preparing the way for Jesus.

Theological Insights:

The delay in answers to prayer can serve as a means for believers to grow in their reliance on God and to develop virtues such as patience and perseverance. It is a reminder that God's timing is perfect and that His ways are higher than human understanding. The delay can also be a period of preparation, where God aligns circumstances and hearts to fulfill His purposes in a way that brings the greatest glory to Him.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in prayer, trusting that God hears and will answer in His perfect timing. The delay should not be seen as a denial but as an opportunity to deepen one's faith and trust in God's sovereign plan. Christians are called to wait upon the Lord with hope and expectation, knowing that He is faithful to His promises.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 18:7
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night to him, though he bear long with them?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Word of Jesus on Prayer.
... I want to know that there is a God that answers prayer, that I may believe ... in a fear
lest, asking for what was not good, the prayer should be granted. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the word of jesus on.htm

The Delays of Love
... delay makes the deliverance the more signal and joyous when it is granted. ... these
are the right kind of things to say in a prayer. Such prayers get no answers. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the delays of love.htm

Chapter I Beginning and Early Days of the Orphan Work.
... Lord would send children; for I naturally took it for granted that there ... not only
to make every thing a subject of prayer, but to expect answers to their ...
/.../muller/answers to prayer/chapter i beginning and early.htm

Miracles of Healing Solicited by the Sufferers.
... I come now to the second group of miracles, those granted to the prayers of the
sufferers. ... Hence the answers to prayer must not only not be of quite the ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/v miracles of healing solicited.htm

Introduction to the Present Edition.
... I will put here some things concerning prayer which are ... See contenting itself with
the approbations granted by the ... The twelve censures with the answers of the ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/introduction to the present edition.htm

The Life of Mr. John Knox.
... Mr. Knox gave such solid and bold answers, in defence ... which desire seems to have
been granted to him. ... of hell shall not prevail." Then by prayer he recommended ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john.htm

Acts XVI
... This was granted by all ... women had been wont to repair to this river-bank for prayer. ...
He answers the prayers of the unconverted, not by an enlightening influence ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xvi.htm

The Gospel Supper
... May I not take it for granted, that even the most ... met with, and such were the excuses,
and answers, that were ... We must spread the case before him in prayer. ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the gospel supper.htm

Home Occupations and Travels in England and Wales.
... a kind-hearted pious man, who readily granted his chapel ... quietude of mind is in answer
to prayer; for I ... anonymously in writing by the members, and answers to be ...
/.../chapter x home occupations and.htm

Acts IX
... of Scripture in reference to the answer of prayer. ... give to mourners seeking salvation
the answers given by ... Supposing this much to be granted, as a basis for ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts ix.htm