I have often thought, our generation desperately needs to rediscover the difference between praying for and praying through. Although more people are praying than I have ever seen, still, most do not know how to pray through – or pray and refuse to stop until they see the answer manifest.
I want to share a story with you. Several years ago, I was without a vehicle. Without sharing all the details, I went without a vehicle for several weeks. In the world we live in today, that is not a pleasant thing to do. I live alone, and my vehicle took me to work and back. It took me to get things I needed to live throughout the week. It was not a luxury, but a necessity.
Week one, my faith was strong, and my confession was firm. I was praying only spirit led prayers. I was not praying for my will to be done, although I really needed a vehicle. I was praying for God’s will for me for a vehicle. I determined in my heart I would wait upon the Lord.
I continued to pray and stand in faith.
Week two was a little more trying, but my faith remained firm in God and His faithfulness.
Week three, my family and friends began to tell me I needed to do something and do it now. I was told I needed to decide and move forward. Trust me, I wanted to do that more than anyone…but I had determined in my heart to wait on what God had for me. All I knew was I had not seen it yet.
God continually spoke one scripture to me; Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:3-4)
A scripture on patience was the last thing I wanted to hear. LOL. My faith was being tested, that’s for certain. The question was, would I allow patience to have her perfect work in me? In my situation? That was entirely up to me.
I continued to pray. Week four came. I kept praying and standing in faith for what God had for me. When I would get weary, I would declare… “I will settle for nothing less than what God has for me.”
A few more weeks later, God came through and brought me the perfect vehicle…the one HE had for me. It had everything I asked for on it…and the best part is, it was paid in full.
God is faithful to His promises.
I stood in faith. I sowed seed every single time He prompted me to, without hesitation. I prayed. I prayed again. And again. Until I prayed all the way through the situation.
As I shared, the scripture God gave me through this time says, but let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If we allow patience to have its perfect work, what God promises us is that we will be perfect, complete, and lacking nothing.
The words, perfect work, means labor, growth, mental and moral maturity. This happens when we decide to pray and continue to pray until we see the completeness of what we are praying for. We grow in God. We grow mentally. Our thoughts and desires begin to line up with His. We come to a place of maturity in Him. Maturity comes when we determine to pray through and then follow through with our actions.
Today, as I am reminded of the faithfulness of my God, I can’t help but overflow with thankfulness. Thankfulness for a faithful God. For His faithful Word & promises. Thankful for the power of prayer. Thankful for Him imparting to me the grace to allow patience to have its perfect work. Thankful for the grace to pray through to the end. God gave us such as awesome tools. May we use them more and more.
