Persevering in Prayer

We often talk about the power of prayer and share stories  about godly men and women who moved mountains with their prayers. In Jr. High, I remember reading a book on prayer that encouraged me to claim the promise of James 5:16, "The fervent, effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much." So, I prayed fervently, multiple times a day, the most effectual prayers I could that Gary would become my boyfriend. And to prove the depth of my faith that my God was a God who answered prayer, I told my best friend that God was going to give me Gary. I was confident. My faith was unshakeable. For a week, I prayed fervently until I saw Gary and her walking down the hall, holding hands. Gary became her boyfriend, much to my shock and total  embarrassment.

I had been so full of faith. I had prayed fervently. I had given testimony to my faith in God. What just happened? 

Lewis Carroll writes in the Letters of Lewis Carroll: "I have had prayers answered—most strangely so sometimes—but I think our heavenly Father's lovingkindness has been even more evident in what He has refused me." Now, many decades and many prayers later, like Lewis Carroll, I too can see our heavenly Father's lovingkindness in how he has said yes (miraculously so sometimes) and in how he has refused my requests. 

Being left in the waiting room or hearing the Lord say no is excruciatingly hard. Even knowing we are in biblical good company (the Lord told Moses no, he wasn't going into the Promised Land, and he told Jesus no, the cup would not be taken away) doesn't make it easy. But as you look back, would you also say that it's those refused prayers that made the roots of your faith grow deeper? He knows best, so we humble ourselves and come to him as dearly loved daughters, and keep persevering in prayer.