Each life is made up of mistakes and learning, waiting and growing, practicing patience and being persistent.
- Billy Graham
It can and should be fulfilling to wait on God. Rewarded by glimpses of insight, we often feel the time is well spent. Unfortunately, judging by the decreasing few practicing this, or any kind of prayer, most find the experience more trouble than it's worth.
It's telling that while we happily invest over a hundred hours a month in entertainment, most spend less than one waiting quietly before God. Today, with so many forms of information, amusements and distractions vying for our attention, our world view, a thus life, is being shaped more by the media than by the loving and faithful hands of our Creator and Savior.
We should count it a privilege to have any kind of relationship with God, the Designer of the Universe. This is all the more true given the strong evidence that our Creator is the faithful, loving and merciful Savior the Bible describes.
Even so, seeking God is challenging to say the least. Invisible, He may seem distant and hidden. Inaudible, His silence can easily be interpreted as disinterest or worse. Still, throughout history, billions have enjoyed the pursuit. For millennia, teachings and traditions within Christianity have help guide the hopeful in approaching God. By faith and prayer, study and service people everywhere report finding comfort and meaning in developing their relationship with the Lord.
This being said, there are numerous obstacles in the path of those desiring to draw near to the Almighty. Misunderstandings about God abound. Within Christianity alone there are hundreds denominations separated by varied Christs and versions of the gospel. Within these, images and expectation of God greatly vary, sometimes from person to person. Without strong ties to the objective and concrete teachings of scripture, churches and individuals are left to envision God through only subjective and abstract lenses.
Because of this, many sects of Christianity think it best to discourage or marginalize experiencing God on a personal level. Acknowledged or not, this view is reinforced by the difficulties inherit in communing with such a transcendent Being. It also sidesteps a plethora of problems, from doctrinal questions to unanswered prayer. Unfortunately, throwing the baby out with the bathwater in never a good idea. Particularly when the "baby" is the opportunity for a deeper our relationship with our Maker. While challenging and at times demanding, such a privilege and responsibility should be carefully and responsibly embraced.
The question is how? What are the best ways to get to know God? With Heaven to gain and Hell to loose, how can we be confident that our experience is genuine, built on real faith and not presumption? Perhaps those with a proven track record, like the Bible's prophets and apostles, can point the way.
Thankfully, Scripture is full of ordinary folks who came to know God in extraordinary ways. While individual stories vary, there are similarities. Men and women who please God "must believe that He is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him." These decided to seek God with all their hearts, mind and strength. Regardless of the cost, they persevered. Believing the rewards of knowing God were worth even suffering for, they entrusted themselves into the hands of a "faithful Creator." In good times and bad, time after time they discovered God was indeed worth the wait:
- "O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly." Psalm 5:1-3
- "Help, God—the bottom has fallen out of my life! Master, hear my cry for help! Listen hard! Open your ears! Listen to my cries for mercy. If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that's why you're worshiped. I pray to God—my life a prayer— and wait for what he'll say and do. My life's on the line before God, my Lord, waiting and watching till morning, waiting and watching till morning." Psalm 130:1-6 The Message
- "I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed. I remember it all—oh, how well I remember— the feeling of hitting the bottom. One other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left. God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It's a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It's a good thing when you're young to stick it out through the hard times. When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. he "worst" is never the worst. Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return. If he works severely, he also works tenderly. His stockpiles of loyal love are immense. He takes no pleasure in making life hard, in throwing roadblocks in the way." Lamentations 3:19-33 The Message
- "Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:28-31
- "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 'Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.'” Psalms 46:1-10
Quieting Our Souls
There something to be said for quieting ourselves. Scripture counsels us to "be still" that we may know God for who He is. We are also reminded that, "God is in heaven and you are on the earth, so let your words be few." Similarly Jesus directs, "in patience posses your souls, and asks "could you not tarry with Me one hour?" If being still, quieting ourselves and practicing patient prayer was good advice for the ancient world, imagine it's importance today. Constantly in "information overload" the level of distractions and diversions we're immersed in is unprecedented. So much so, might it be necessary for those of us daily bombarded by modern media to tarry an hour just to quiet the images and voices in our hearts and minds enough to hear ourselves think, much less hope to learn what's on God's mind?
Sadly, if Christian's take the time to stop what they're doing and pray, it's only for a few minutes a day on average. The number one reason believers pray so little is that our requests so often go unanswered. Discouragement can lead to various levels of frustration and/or depression. If unchecked, our questions and pain can turn into resentment. Repressed or expressed, doubt chokes the life out of our prayers. Without clear and frequent answers to prayer, what we hoped would be a time of joy and refreshing becomes disappointing at best.
Ironically, another hindrance to prayer has to do with hope. Proverbs explains "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life." It takes spiritual and emotional strength and courage to stand and face the challenges of life head on. Pouring out to God the needs and concerns we have, particularly for those we love, stirs up feelings of anxiety and fear, pain and regret. Over time, if our requests continue to go unmet or circumstances worsen, logging hours in prayer can not only feel tedious but like adding insult to injury. Most simply refuse to do so. Others use various rationalizations to excuse themselves from trying. Whole churches and denominations go as far as to hide their disappointment behind fig leaves of theology and doctrine.
Fortunately, Scripture is full of promise. Among it's many encouragements is special help to those who's faith is being tested. Recognizing the urge to give up, we're told to resist despair and hope in God:
- "O Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you." Psalm 5:1-5
- "I run to you, God; I run for dear life. Don't let me down! Take me seriously this time! Get down on my level and listen, and please—no procrastination!... Desperate, I throw myself on you: you are my God! Hour by hour I place my days in your hand, safe from the hands out to get me. Warm me, your servant, with a smile; save me because you love me. Don't embarrass me by not showing up; I've given you plenty of notice... What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you, Ready and waiting for all who run to you to escape an unkind world... Love God, all you saints; God takes care of all who stay close to him, But he pays back in full those arrogant enough to go it alone. Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up. Expect God to get here soon." Psalm 31 The Message
- "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." Romans 5:3-5
- "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." 1 Timothy 6:17-18
- "God doesn't miss anything. He knows perfectly well all the love you've shown him by helping needy Christians, and that you keep at it. And now I want each of you to extend that same intensity toward a full-bodied hope, and keep at it till the finish. Don't drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them." Hebrew 6:10-12 The Message
- "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure." 1 John 3:2-3
It's wonderful to remember that because of the phenomenal price paid by Christ for our atonement, we "who were once far from God have been brought near." Even now a Man, our faithful High Priest, stands at the right hand of God on our behalf! A poem by Joseph Hart makes the point beautifully:
Prayer was appointed to convey the blessings God designs to give;
Long as they live should Christians pray,
For only while they pray they live.
And shall we in dead silence lie, when Christ stands waiting for our prayer?
My soul, thou hast a Friend on high; Arise and try thy interest there.
If pain afflict, or wrongs oppress; If cares distract, or fears dismay;
If guilt deject, if sin distress; The remedy is before thee Pray!
Depend on Christ, thou canst not fail; Make all thy wants and wishes known.
Fear not; His merits must prevail; Ask what thou wilt; it shall be done!
Contemplating and Praying Scripture
There are at least seven methods or mode of prayer. More than one lends itself nicely to extended times of stillness before God. As our minutes turn to hours, meditating on scripture can be helpful in numerous ways:
1. Directing our thoughts: The Spirit, who assists our prayers, is also the inspiration of scripture. Tuning our mind into the language of the Spirit increases our ability to speak with and hear from God.
2. Dealing with our emotions: Praying through difficult topics can be taxing, particularly during trying times. Adding to our own prayers the praise and petitions of psalmists along with the laments and complaints of prophets can be encouraging.
3. Guiding our requests: Among the authors of scripture, the Lord's half brother James had unique insights into Jesus. His epistles warns, "you have not not because you ask not. You ask and receive not because you ask amiss." Scripture is full of instruction on how to ask correctly.
4. Providing a template for prayer: From casual conversations to wrestling with God, it's crucial to know what's appropriate. Particularly when obeying Christ's directive to be persistent to the point of refusing to take "no" for an answer, contemplating and modeling our prayers after those in the Bible's a good way to learn what's in and out of bounds.
5. Insight into Scripture: We are told to "taste and see the Lord is good." Waiting on God for His presence, provision and protection is a great way to do so. Like a car battery, the best way to test the power of scripture is "under a load." Hebrews tells us, "by reason of practice we learn to discern good and evil." The best insights come to those whiling to risk putting their faith in God's promises to the test.
6. Inspiration from God: Meditating and praying through scripture's is an excellent habit to develop for encouragement and strength. His written word is also the safest source from which His spoken or personal word can arise.
7. Instruction and strategy: Direction from God comes in many ways. Scripture's special revelation can provide unending spring of strategies for facing life's challenges. It's passages are filled with advice on dealing with ourselves and others, not to mention overcoming evil and the Evil One. Exercising our faith by waiting on God is an excellent time to gain wisdom on life in general and specific problems we face.
The Bible directs humanity to wait on God in a number of ways. Generally these break down into two categories. To actively wait on God is to by living faith to be engaged in the kinds of actions and service He desires. As seen in some of the above scriptures this includes being, "rich in good deeds, generous and willing to share" especially with the poor. Isaiah explains:
- "This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.'" Isaiah 58:6-9 The Message
To passively wait on God is to study the Scripture diligently and be disciplined and rigorous in prayer. James assures us "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." Hebrews reveals that even the prayer life of God the Son was marked with passion and godly fear:
- "While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with loud cries and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered." Hebrews 5:7-8
For those new to actively and/or passively waiting on God their's no time like the presence to begin. For the minority of Christians who've already heavily invested in personal and corporate prayer, it's vital we "spur one another on to love and good deeds" particularly in what can be the lonely business of waiting on God for quantifiable answers to prayer for the mundane to the miraculous.
It's been said, "God doesn't hear prayer, He hears desperate prayer." Both Jesus and James agree fervency is a key element of effective prayer. Fervency has less to do with decibels or shenanigans, than with deeply and regularly humbling ourselves before God that He may lift us up.
Finally, there are many benefits in praying to the Omniscient God. Among them is the fact that He knew our every thought, word and action before our birth. This suggests a benefit for those who have long labored in prayer. Even when our prayers go unanswered, the reason isn't that God has forgotten us or our requests. He doesn't have Alzheimer's, nor will we be heard for our "much speaking." It's not mindless repetition God desires, but mindful insistence that His will be done on Earth, today, as it is in Heaven! Christ assures us that God will "speedily vindicate those who cry out to Him day and night." We are commanded to love God with all our minds. Investing hours and days, weeks and years in waiting on God affords us the luxury of being creative. Once having prayed through a problem dozens or even hundreds of times, it isn't always necessary to do so verbatim once again. At times a thought or word or two can suffice to bring to bare past sessions of prayer. Even the poignant lyrics of a song or poem, as well as a moving scene from TV or a movie can quickly communicate to the all knowing God from the depths of our soul.
Serious and daily individual, as well as corporate prayer, is vital for all Christians. Waiting on God through contemplative prayer is also an excellent time to give thanks. Even the best of us take so much for granted. With entitlement as the original and predominate sin of angels and men, learning to continually give thanks is a must in overcoming temptation and drawing near to God:
- "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
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