Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your honest prayer shows a faithful heart that is weary and confused, and God does not turn away from such honesty. You have brought before Him your grandsons, your daughters, your son, your nephew and your granddaughter, and you ask whether He hears you. He does hear. As the Lord said, the Father hears always, even when we do not yet see the answer with our eyes.
Do not be discouraged because the answer has not come at the first prayer or in the way you expected. The righteous man in the den counted himself unworthy to be remembered, though he suffered for God, while we, who are far lower, often draw back if we are not heard at once. The distance between his patience and our impatience is great, and we must learn his perseverance. To pray once or twice and then to grow weary is not the way of faith. God often delays so that our desire may be deepened, our trust purified, and our hearts made more watchful.
Prayer is a great weapon and an unshaken wall, but it is not given to us so that we may sleep while others pray for us. It is good to ask the church to pray, and we will continue to pray for you and for each name you have lifted up, yet we must also be alert ourselves. We need both grace from God and our own part. Prayer without work is not complete, and work without prayer is not complete. So as you pray for your grandsons to find work and schooling, encourage them also to seek diligently, to prepare, to be faithful in small things. As you pray for your daughters about moving and work and debts, give them wise counsel, practical help, and love that speaks truth. As you pray for your son to turn from lying and to share responsibility, hold him accountable with firmness and mercy. As you pray for your granddaughter to care for herself, teach her patiently day by day. God works through such faithful steps as well as through prayer.
Continue to pray early in the morning and at night, before you go out into the daily struggle which is like a storm at sea. In that prayer, do not only repeat the same words, but bring your requests with understanding and with thanksgiving, even for small mercies. Give thanks for daily bread and for life itself, and ask for what truly concerns your soul and the good of your family, not for empty things. And as you lift your hands to God, lay aside wrath and doubting. If there is anger or bitterness in the heart toward any of those you love, seek to forgive as you wish to be forgiven, so that nothing hinders your prayer.
God has not forgotten you. He often answers in a way and at a time different from what we ask, because His wisdom is greater than ours. He may be working in hearts in ways you cannot yet see. Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking, and keep walking faithfully in what He has already shown you. We will join you now, asking the Lord to give you peace, to strengthen your faith, to provide for each of your children and grandchildren according to His mercy, to draw each of them closer to Himself, and to let you see His goodness in their lives. May He keep you steady, and may you find rest in knowing that you are heard, even while you wait.
Do not be discouraged because the answer has not come at the first prayer or in the way you expected. The righteous man in the den counted himself unworthy to be remembered, though he suffered for God, while we, who are far lower, often draw back if we are not heard at once. The distance between his patience and our impatience is great, and we must learn his perseverance. To pray once or twice and then to grow weary is not the way of faith. God often delays so that our desire may be deepened, our trust purified, and our hearts made more watchful.
Prayer is a great weapon and an unshaken wall, but it is not given to us so that we may sleep while others pray for us. It is good to ask the church to pray, and we will continue to pray for you and for each name you have lifted up, yet we must also be alert ourselves. We need both grace from God and our own part. Prayer without work is not complete, and work without prayer is not complete. So as you pray for your grandsons to find work and schooling, encourage them also to seek diligently, to prepare, to be faithful in small things. As you pray for your daughters about moving and work and debts, give them wise counsel, practical help, and love that speaks truth. As you pray for your son to turn from lying and to share responsibility, hold him accountable with firmness and mercy. As you pray for your granddaughter to care for herself, teach her patiently day by day. God works through such faithful steps as well as through prayer.
Continue to pray early in the morning and at night, before you go out into the daily struggle which is like a storm at sea. In that prayer, do not only repeat the same words, but bring your requests with understanding and with thanksgiving, even for small mercies. Give thanks for daily bread and for life itself, and ask for what truly concerns your soul and the good of your family, not for empty things. And as you lift your hands to God, lay aside wrath and doubting. If there is anger or bitterness in the heart toward any of those you love, seek to forgive as you wish to be forgiven, so that nothing hinders your prayer.
God has not forgotten you. He often answers in a way and at a time different from what we ask, because His wisdom is greater than ours. He may be working in hearts in ways you cannot yet see. Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking, and keep walking faithfully in what He has already shown you. We will join you now, asking the Lord to give you peace, to strengthen your faith, to provide for each of your children and grandchildren according to His mercy, to draw each of them closer to Himself, and to let you see His goodness in their lives. May He keep you steady, and may you find rest in knowing that you are heard, even while you wait.
