Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. – Luke 18:1
The people slowly wandered into the dining room of the care center. Grey-haired ladies and men rolled their wheelchairs up to tables. Family members of residents took their seats. Younger residents congregated together. The people were welcomed and the music leader led the people in song. When the songs were finished, I preached a sermon on the resurrection of Christ to celebrate Resurrection Day.
photo credit: kalandrakas
Two years before that day, God had clearly told me that my calling was to share His good news, to teach and preach so that others may draw close to Him and receive His comfort.
I prayed that doors would open to allow me to minister. But except for one opportunity a year later when I preached a sermon at my church, no doors opened. I prayed, but sometimes it felt as if God wasn’t even hearing my prayers. At times, I wondered if God had truly called me to share His Word. I felt like giving up. I already prayed and nothing happened, so why bother?
But God finally answered two years of praying when my care center decided to have a church service on Resurrection Day and invited me to preach. This led to me holding church services at the care center every Sunday for almost five years.
My friend, you also may have prayers that seem unanswered. You may be praying for an opportunity to minister or for a family member to give her life to Christ. At times, you may have felt like giving up because no answer was in sight.
Do not lose heart. Keep praying. Keep seeking God’s presence. He will answer in His time.
It is always good, for me at least, to see ,in writing, the wonderous answers to prayer that others recieve even years later when they think all is not worth it. Thanks for the new post Jason and may God bless you richly.
Thanks for the reminder. I’m sending this to my wife because we’re in a similar situation of trying to please God by doing something, only to find He is not enabling us to do that specific thing. Maintaining faith in God is the challenge which these situations put us in–the challenge to trust God’s providence as He works things outside of our control for our good.