Keys to a Powerful Prayer Life a 4-Day Plan by Joy OguntimeinSample

Key 3: Pray With Expectation

Read: 1 Kings 18:1-2;41-46; Psalm 5:3

I live close to a Walmart, so I often order household items online and select pickup in-store. This allows me to get my items the same day and skip the wait. Occasionally, Walmart will email me the subject, "Order update: your pickup is delayed." This email rarely bothers me because I know my order might be delayed, but it's still on the way. I'm learning that I should not be bothered when I pray and feel my answer is delayed. Instead, I should wait on God - not in boredom, anxiety, or dread - but with joyful expectation.

With a word from God that rain is coming (1 Kings 18:1), Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel to look for evidence of God's rain miracle. Unlike previous experiences, Elijah didn't get his miracle right away this time. Elijah sent his servant to look for rain seven times!! The seventh time, his servant told him, "I saw a little cloud about the size of a man's hand rising from the sea."

Powerful prayers are said with the expectation that God never fails and will answer according to His will and timing. After Elijah prayed, he expected God to answer and waited until God did. Even though the servant told Elijah six times that he didn't see anything, Elijah didn't give up or lose hope. He kept saying, '... go and look' (1 Kings 18:43). We, too, must learn to keep going back to God's word and looking to Him. We must go back and remind ourselves of His faithfulness in the past and look forward to seeing Him being faithful again.

When we're waiting and begin to feel discouraged because we can't see the evidence of God's miracle on the horizon – remember God is faithful, powerful, and responsive. Elijah knew that since God promised rain, the rain would surely come. Be encouraged, friend, and keep looking. Rain is coming.

Pray: Dear God, thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. Help me to trust your timing. While I wait, I will recall and celebrate your faithfulness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.