The Silence and the Sovereignty of Prayer

The Silence and the Sovereignty of Prayer…

The cry goes out, “I called him, but he gave me no answer” (Song of Solomon 5:6). This poignant verse echoes a truth often experienced in the life of faith: prayer sometimes tarries, a persistent petitioner waiting at the King’s gate until He, in His own time, chooses to bestow the sought-after blessings.

The Lord, in His wisdom, often tests the great faith He Himself has given through periods of seeming silence. The voices of His servants may echo back to them as if bouncing off an impenetrable barrier. They may knock at the door of heaven, only to find it seemingly bolted shut. Like Jeremiah, they may lament, “You have covered yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through” (Lamentations 3:44).

Yet, the prolonged waiting of true saints, even without immediate reply, is not due to a lack of fervor in their prayers, nor does it signify their rejection. Rather, it is the prerogative of our Sovereign God, who bestows His gifts according to His perfect will and timing.

If it pleases Him to refine our patience through delay, who are we to question His divine prerogative? As beggars before His throne, we have no right to dictate the time, place, or manner of His giving.

However, let us never mistake a delay for a denial. God’s promises, though they may seem long in coming to fruition, will be honored with perfect punctuality.

We must resist the whispers of Satan, who would seek to erode our trust in the God of truth by pointing to unanswered prayers.

Unanswered petitions are not lost. God keeps a meticulous record of our prayers; they are not ephemeral whispers carried away by the wind, but precious treasures stored in the King’s archives. In the very court of heaven, a registry exists where every prayer is faithfully recorded.

Tried believer, your Lord tenderly collects the costly drops of your sacred grief in His tear bottle, and every holy groan is counted in His book.

Take heart, for in His perfect timing, your suit will prevail. Can you not find solace in waiting a little longer? Is not your Lord’s timing infinitely better than your own?

By and by, He will appear in comfort and joy to your soul, exchanging the sackcloth and ashes of prolonged waiting for the scarlet and fine linen of complete fulfillment.

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge Your sovereignty and wisdom in all things, including the timing of Your answers to our prayers. When silence falls upon our cries and delay weighs heavy on our hearts, grant us the grace to trust in Your unfailing love and perfect plan. Strengthen our patience, Lord, and help us to remember that Your delays are not denials, but opportunities for our faith to deepen and our reliance on You to grow. May we never lose heart, knowing that You hear every petition and that in Your appointed time, You will bring about Your perfect will in our lives. Amen.

God is never late, never early, always on time.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼