Why God's Answers Can Take So Long

Several possible reasons the answers may delay and what we do while waiting

Delays in answering prayers can occur due to God's desire to show His power, to increase the petitioner's fervor, or to reveal something that needs to be addressed in the petitioner. We are to wait patiently and continue praying earnestly, with hopeful expectation that God's response will come in due time.

Therefore will the Lord wait that He may be gracious unto you. — Isaiah 30:18

Your call is very important to us, please wait for the next available attendant…

We don’t like to wait long, do we? I know I’ve had to learn the hard way to wait! We wait for stoplights, cashiers, buffering, birthdays, and so many other things.

Including answered prayer.

God often delays in answering prayer.

At least sure it seems so, right? We want a quick fix, a short turn-around to get us out of a jam or keep things from getting worse.

And sometimes an answer does come right away, like when my wife prayed for us to find a parking space up front in the shade. We got one, and were delighted, but it was a simple small matter.

God often takes His time when it comes to answering prayers on much bigger matters. It seems to me that the larger the request, or the more important to me it is, the more likely the Lord will delay answering or granting it.

What is the reason for that?

Here are three possible reasons:

Spurgeon says,

• You might be waiting for an answer because God wants you to really want it.

• Sometimes, he delays answering prayers to reveal something in us that needs fixing.

• Or, he might want to show us his power and sovereignty.

The Lord has a right to give or to withhold as he wills and delays make us acutely aware of that! In waiting, our desire increase and our prayers more fervent. We see more clearly and ask more intensely. Says Spurgeon, “you will prize the mercy all the more for its long delay.”

It may be you ask wrongly, as James says, asking for your will (a desired outcome) and not according to the Lord’s will being done. Or perhaps we are still trusting to much in ourselves and not entirely on the Lord Jesus. Do you ask for only what you want and not what he would have for you? The delay is for you to adjust your prayer to align with his will.

He delays in order to revel himself in glory. Wasn’t Jesus asleep in the boat in the storm? It rolled and pitched as the water crashed and wind howled while he delayed. Then, when they woke him, he stilled the wind and waves, to their absolute marvel!

We find delays in Scripture.

Take Jacob, for example. He wrestled with an angel all night before getting his blessing. The poor woman from Syrophoenicia had to wait a long time before getting an answer to her prayers. Paul asked God to remove his "thorn in the flesh" three times, but God didn't give him a direct answer. Instead, Paul received enough grace to deal with it.

Remember Jesus delayed going to see his friend Lazarus when he heard he was sick. He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4)

We would not delay, but our Savior did. Why?

It was for his glory that Jesus delayed!

What to do while waiting.

The farmer and the gardener know there is time between planting and harvesting. This delay is for growth, and watering and sunshine are needed for the growing. This is prayer time.

Let not despair make you silent, but continue instant in earnest supplication.

C.H. Spurgeon

When you find yourself waiting for an answer, don't lose hope. Keep praying earnestly, and don't give up. Elijah, a regular guy like you and me, prayed for rain six times before it finally rained. God wants you to wait for Him with hopeful expectation, patience, and endurance.

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

Psalm 27:14

This delay builds our trust in Him.

Noah trusted, building an ark for 100 years. Abram trusted, once for a son and then for a lamb for the sacrifice. Daniel trusted for an interpretation to a dream. Anna, the widow, prayed for decades while the answer delayed and was then rewarded with seeing the answer, who was baby Jesus!

See also: Psalm 31:24; Psalm 37:9, 34; Psalm 130:5; Isaiah 8:17; Isaiah 30:18; Isaiah 40:31

This kind of waiting means to look with hopeful expectation, with patience and endurance - while we pray through the delay.

So, when you're praying and waiting, remember that God has a purpose for the delay. Keep praying, don't lose heart, be willing to adjust your asking if you find your asking is delayed for one of the reasons above. All your prayers are filed in heaven and they are not forgotten, and God's grace and mercy will come to you in due time to your delight and satisfaction (Spurgeon).

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