Do you ever feel like no matter how hard or long you pray, you can’t see any change in the situation or the person you’re praying for?  I think of my paternal grandmother who, I was told, prayed every day for my father to come to God.  She didn’t live to see that happen.  Then my mother took up the prayer until the day she died.  But she, too, didn’t live to see her prayers answered.  I, also, prayed for my father, and to this day, I have no assurance he turned to God before his death.  Yet, I often think of the poem by William Camden,
“Betwixt the stirrup and the ground
Mercy I asked, mercy I found.”
God is merciful even to those who call out to him at the last minute.  We have no idea what took place in a person’s heart in their last breaths.  So when I can’t see an answer to my prayers for those I love to come to God, I take comfort in the fact that God is merciful.

“The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.”  Exodus 34:6

The conversation between a thief and Jesus while they were being crucified,
“We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.”  Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”  Luke 23:41-43

” But God is so rich in mercy. . .”  Ephesians 2:4

I take comfort in the fact that God is working even though I may not see it.  I don’t see all that is going in that person’s heart.  I may not live long enough to see the outcome I’m praying for, but that doesn’t mean that God hasn’t heard my prayer. Husband’s grandmother prayed for her husband for 28 years. She didn’t see the answer to her prayers. But a year after her death, her husband put his faith in Jesus. God is tirelessly at work in our loved ones’ lives.  Sometimes we won’t see the results, but sometimes he lets us see just a glimpse of what he has begun to do.

“Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.  Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.  The earth produces the crops on its own.  First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally, the grain ripens.”  Mark 4:26-28

I take comfort in the fact that God welcomes our prayers.  In fact, our prayers are like a sweet smell to him.  He is pleased when we come to him and pour out our hearts to him.  As parents, think how happy it makes us when our kids of any age want to talk about things in their lives with us.  We yearn for that connection.  I think God feels the same way.  He’s pleased when we draw close and spend time talking to him.  In exchange, he gives us his sweet peace.  

“Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people…  The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out.”  a vision of heaven described by John in Revelation 5:8, 8:4

I take comfort in the fact the Holy Spirit is praying on my behalf. Ever feel that you have no idea what to pray for someone?  Should I pray for my friend to be able to return to the mission field or should I pray she finds a ministry here?  Since I can’t see the future, I simply don’t know.  But God knows her future and he knows I care about her, so the Spirit prays for me what aligns with God’s will.

“For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.  And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.”  Romans 8:26-27

I take comfort that Jesus is praying for my needs.  We usually only think of us praying to God, but Jesus is also praying to God for us.   He’s my mediator and advocate.  Even when I blow it, he doesn’t give up on me.

“Even now my witness is in heaven.
My advocate is there on high.
My friends scorn me,
but I pour out my tears to God. 
I need someone to mediate between God and me,
as a person mediates between friends.”  Job 16:19-21

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.  But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail.”  Jesus in Luke 22:31-32

“Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save completely those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”  Hebrews 7:25

“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.”  1 John 2:1

I take comfort in the fact that God’s plans always come to fruition no matter how impossible it seems.  I’m not very optimistic by nature.  I don’t call myself a pessimist, let’s just say I’m a realist.  Every day we’re reminded that we live in a broken world.  The news reminds us.  Our bodies remind us.  Our friends and family remind us.  Yet we have a shining hope.  Even I know there is a day coming when God will make everything right.  We are headed for a new heaven and a new earth.  And this new creation is right on schedule.  

“Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes.”  Psalm 37:7

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. . . God himself will be with them.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”  Revelation 21:1,3,4