Expectant Prayer
I have been praying big prayers, with a heart full of doubt. I have been asking Him for the impossible, and having merely a faint hope that He will answer. I have repeated daily, “Lord, if it’s your will, I pray…” somewhat out of habit with a side dish of duty, but with very little faith. These are specific prayers that He has led me to pray. When I first started praying them, there was fresh hope with my eyes on Him. My eyes shifted to the left and the right and as the days turned into weeks that fresh hope started to fade.
As I became laser focused on the circumstances, I found myself drowning in a sea of doubt. I even prayed aloud to God in my car confessing my disbelief and frustration. This is hard! I think what makes it so hard and frustrating is that I can’t just fix it. There is nothing I can do … but pray. And wait. And pray. And wait. Shortly after praying to God about my frustration, I came across this verse:
The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” Numbers 11:23
Pause. Breathe. Read again. Eyes wide.
I had a moment.
Oh me, of little faith. God forgive me. God help me.
Is anything too hard for the LORD? Genesis 18:14
Is the Lord’s arm too short? Or am I just living as if it is? He is the God of the impossible. He is the God of miracles. His ways are not my ways. I have witnessed His power, and I have experienced His promises! Why am I here in this place of doubt and uncertainty? God, strengthen me!
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9
His eyes can see much farther than mine. He already knows. I have to keep my eyes on Him. I wear contacts, and without them the world is fuzzy. I need His perspective just like I need contacts to see clearly. My eyes alone are simply not enough. When I have His perspective, I am reminded that no matter what it looks like, He has a plan and His plans are good.
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. Isaiah 59:1
His arm is not too short. When I find myself wavering I have to keep my eyes on Him and remind myself just how BIG He is!
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3
The word expectantly changes everything. It’s one thing to wait, but to wait expectantly is to eagerly anticipate a response. I know what it is like to wait with my head down and my feet kicking the dirt. I want to wait expectantly! I want to lift my head to Him and stand tall knowing that God is with me every step of the way.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank for you hearing my prayers. Help me to focus on you and your mighty arm instead of the circumstances. Forgive me for doubting, getting frustrated, and feeling overwhelmed. The next time I think, “It’s impossible! There’s no way! Oh no, Lord – not me! I can’t!” Help me to remember – “My Lord’s arm never ends.” Your arm is not too short. You will accomplish your work. I just need to be willing, obedient and faithful. Give me faith. Help me to pray big, bold prayers with big, bold faith. Lord, I know the struggle is no match for you. Help me to fully trust you with the process, the timing, and the outcome. As I wait Lord, help me to wait expectantly! Thank you Jesus!
We live in the bold confidence that God hears our voices when we ask for things that fit His plan. And if we have no doubt that He hears our voices, we can be assured that He moves in response to our call. 1 John 5:14-15 VOICE
Praise: As I looked for a picture to use with this post, I came across several reminders of big answered prayers! One was a huge prayer request that I wrote down at a conference on May 3. It was answered on February 10. Praise God! He is faithful, and His timing is perfect! His arm is never too short!
What about you? Are you praying big, bold prayers? Are you in a season of waiting? What verses encourage you?
Linking up with Suzie Eller
You really cannot imagine the power of this for me this morning! Love in Christ to you for validating my thoughts.
Lisa,
I am so thankful… all glory to Him! Your words and images encourage me as I wait! I am praying for you, and thankful God connected us! Love in Christ to you too!
WOW….what a perfect post. I must be in the same season…praying, waiting, doubting, asking forgiveness for my doubt, pray & wait. Thank you for your encouragement and words Michelle!! SO valuable!!!
Angela,
Thank you friend – I so appreciate you and your encouragement. Waiting with you, expectantly! <3
I love your honesty here, and I am convinced that your heavenly Father does as well. While it is good that you noticed your ‘moment’ of unbelief, but I honestly believe that God welcomes the honest cry of our heart, even if that comes from a place of frustration. Consider David, and the numerous times he cried out to God, feeling abandoned and alone. I also think of the father in Mark 9:24, “The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” We can pray and ask God to help us overcome our unbelief, but at the same time I believe that he just loves when we feel comfortable enough to complain sometimes. That’s a relationship of true intimacy.
Blessings and hugs,
Kamea
Yes, Kamea so true!!! He already knows our heart struggles and longs for us to bring them ALL to Him! I love the verse in Mark 9:24 that you referenced. It took me back to another big prayer that was answered! I blogged about it here: https://journeypink.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/lifted/
You have really blessed me, and reading your beautiful post about Abba has encouraged my heart, especially as I think of true intimacy! I am thankful for you!
Such a beautiful and powerful post. I left you a message there are well. I consider you a blessing as well, and am so thankful for our friendship.
Blessings and hugs,
Kamea
You really speak my heart, Michelle. As I read this with tears in my eyes, I begged God, “I believe; please help my unbelief!” Thank you so much for reminding me how BIG God is. I wrote down the Numbers 11 and Genesis 18 verses to remind myself. Praying the prayer with you and longing to wait on Him “expectantly” instead of doubting Him. Hugs!
Trudy,
You speak my heart too friend, and I am so thankful for you. Those verses have really helped me to quickly say “His arm is not too short! Nothing is impossible” when the doubt creeps in. Thank you for praying with me, expectantly! Hugs to you! 🙂
I haven’t had any big bold prayers for a long time, because I’ve been so confused I haven’t known what to ask for. But even then His Holy Spirit promises to pray for us when we don’t know how to pray. Though it may seem like we are losing at times, we aren’t, because nothing is too difficult for God. I’m so glad. Thanks for the reminder of what a mighty God we serve, Michelle.
Liz,
I get it! Big bold prayers are fairly new for me. There are still times when all I can say is Jesus. The comfort in knowing He knows and He hears and He answers is so very soothing to my heart. We just have to be open and willing. I am praying expectantly for you and with you for the next step. You are such a blessing to me, friend!
As you are to me!
Michelle, I’m in that season of waiting. Thanks for encouraging me to #livefree today! Hope to see you again in july! Kim Stewart
http://www.kimstewartinspired.com
Kim!
Thank you so much for stopping by and encouraging me! I wish I could be there in July – please let me know how it goes. I hate to miss it, and would love to see you! There’s always next year!
Beautiful. While we wait resting in His arms, He does a beautiful work in our hearts. “Tis so sweet it is to trust in Jesus. Just to take Him at His word.”
I really like this image “I know what it is like to wait with my head down and my feet kicking the dirt. I want to wait expectantly! I want to lift my head to Him and stand tall knowing that God is with me every step of the way.” I’m praying for some big things. Thank you for this reminder to have big faith as I ask!
So many nuggets of encouragement in this post, Michelle. Thank you for sharing your insights. They are reminders of how great our God is and how far His reach is to gather His loved ones.
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