Wanna Quit?

Tired? Frustrated? Irritated? Hopeless? Have you ever felt this way after you have spent a considerable amount of time praying for someone and have yet to see the fruit of those prayers? Are we to think that God isn't hearing us or that the ones we are praying for are too far out of His reach? I regret to admit that not too long ago I realized that I allowed my frustration to win. Because I had not seen any visible answers to my prayers for a certain person(s), I slowly but surely quit praying for them. Whoa. Isn't that exactly what the enemy wanted me to do?!? Not too long ago, I heard a story about a grandmother who faithfully prayed for her grandson. This child had no interest in God and grew into adulthood still having no interest in God. Still, the grandmother prayed. And prayed. And then prayed some more. This grandmother went to her grave without ever seeing any change in her grandson. Then years later, through circumstances and situations that only God could orchestrate, this grandson gave his life to Christ. Don't you know that grandmother was rejoicing in heaven with the angels over the salvation of her grandson? Girls, we have GOT to keep praying. "Pray without ceasing" is what the Apostle Paul tells us to do. Even when we don't see God's hand moving, we must believe that it is! In fact, we can KNOW that He is up to something. How can we know? Check out Isaiah 55:10-11:
"As the rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, So is My Word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Becoming frustrated and tired to the point of giving up is exactly what the enemy is counting on. Let's stand firm girls and trust that as we are praying God's Word for those we love, He is indeed up to something, whether we can see it or not. Let's walk (and pray) by faith, not by sight. He says His Word will accomplish what He desires - Let's believe Him for it.

"...night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers..." 2 Timothy 1:3