Sometimes God takes His time to answer our prayers, which isn’t always easy for us to understand. That’s what happened to Zechariah. The angel Gabriel came to him one day in the temple in Jerusalem. Gabriel told him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John” (LUKE 1:13).

But Zechariah had probably asked God for a child years before. And he struggled with Gabriel’s message because Elizabeth was now too old to have children. Still, God answered his prayer.

God’s memory is perfect. He is able to remember our prayers not only throughout our lives, but also for years well beyond our lifetime. He never forgets them and may answer them long after we first brought them to Him. Sometimes His answer is no, other times it is wait—but He always acts out of His love for us. God’s ways are often hard for us to understand, but we can still trust that they are good.

Zechariah learned this. He asked for a son, but God gave him even more. His son John would grow up to be the very man who prepared Israel to meet Jesus. What happened to Zechariah should also encourage us as we pray. God’s timing may not be what we’d choose, but it is always worth waiting for.

By: James Bank

To Pray About . . .

Father, thank You that You are able to take my prayers and do more with them than I can imagine! Please help me to trust in Your timing.