No Lost Prayers
Spring! The explosion of color that fills my yard right now is amazing. I did not plant these roses. Someone else did, years ago. Someone else tilled, planted, watered and waited. The bare-root sticks they put into the ground held the promise of bloom but it was a long time coming. I wish they could see the burst of fragrant flowers I’m enjoying today because they tended a tiny plot of soil back then. To me, it’s a picture of how we must be patient in our prayers and never stop growing in the meantime.
Lately, God has been reminding me that He always answers prayer. Seasons pass and some prayers seem to get lost in the waiting. We may even forget and move on. But God listens. He doesn’t lose track of our tears and prayers.
When God sent an answer to Cornelius, a devout man who prayed continually, the angel told him, “Your prayers . . . have ascended as a memorial before God” (Acts 10:4 ESV). How long and how many times did he pray before the answer came? We don’t know. But perhaps, as one old preacher put it, God let those prayers accumulate at His throne until finally—like moisture gathered up in a cloud—they burst open in showers of blessing on Cornelius and his household.
Recently a friend told me about her visit with a cousin she hasn’t seen in 25 years. After several days of catching up, she said they were close as “two peas in a pod” in spite of the years that separated them. Neither was raised in a Christian home, but to her delight, my friend discovered her cousin wholeheartedly follows Jesus and traces the roots of her faith back to the very same influence. “I wouldn’t be who I am,” she said, “if it wasn’t for our praying grandma.” What a sweet testimony to the staying power of prayer.
Her story reminds me of my own praying grandma, who had a passion for growing beautiful flowers. Her backyard was a garden paradise of roses, hydrangeas, fuchsias, giant sunflowers and delicate ferns. There was always plenty of rhubarb and a perennial patch of strawberries (for homemade pies, yum) but that’s a story for another time. My salt-of-the-earth, Kentucky born Grandmama could coax anything to grow! She also had a deeply-rooted passion for prayer; she often nurtured one passion while doing the other. She said some of her best praying came while working her garden.
It’s been said that our prayers outlive us. Amen!
No breath of true prayer is ever lost.
In due time, He will answer . . . far above and beyond all that we ask or think!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” (Jeremiah 29:11-12 NIV)
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him. (Psalm 62:5 NLT)
6 comments
Stephanie | April 19, 2016
Bless you Leah!
This message speaks to my heart, especially today, as I have been praying for seemingly impossible situations to come to pass. I know that the Lord's timing is perfect! and this period of waiting, though difficult, is only preparing me for the time when He reveals His perfect answer. So I thank you for putting words to my heart and giving hope in knowing I am not alone. Just what I needed! Thanks for sharing! God bless.
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Dixie | April 19, 2016
This is lovely ~ a precious reminder! Bless you!
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Diane | April 20, 2016
Leah, thank you for the powerful reminder of waiting for answers to prayers, no matter how long ago they were prayed! God is faithful--in all seasons! Blessings!
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Terri | April 20, 2016
Dear friend,
Such a beautiful word picture. Thank you for this sweet analogy.
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Roxanne | April 28, 2016
That is such a good word! This has been such a hard year in many ways and I think that I have prayed more and with tears than ever before. I have been discouraged at the seeming delay of answers to my prayers but the Lord has reminded me that these prayers have not been "wasted". Thank you for this confirmation.
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Veronica | June 3, 2016
This is absolutely lovely. This was no coincidence because I said to my husband please wake me up tomorrow morning so I can prune my roses, as he is definitely an early riser.
I have several different rose bushes on one side of the house, and in the front yard are beautiful gladiolus that my husband planted years ago. Each year is such a treat when they pop up. I will now attend my garden with a new approach, where as I normally think of the scripture John 15:2, "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." Thank you for such an inspiring read. It's always a joy to read these wonderful words of wisdom. God Bless you.
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