Hang in There

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

“Hang in there” is an expression of encouragement in today’s world. It’s a way to say, “Don’t give up.” Recently, I needed to apply the hang in there concept to my prayer life. 

You see, I keep a written list of people with various needs and try to pray for them daily. Some of these folks have serious relationship problems. Others don’t know Christ. Many of them have been on my heart and in my prayers for years and years.

Not long ago, I decided I was tired of praying for them and seeing no results. It seemed they were too stubborn, too hard-hearted to respond to God. Where they were concerned, I was probably wasting my time and energy. 

I really wanted to cross their names off my prayer list and forget them. 

Then God nudged me. 

He seemed to say, You are being impatient. There are no time limits with prayer. I realized I was trying to force my short term viewpoint on a process that is open ended. 

When I agreed with God about that, a surprising thing happened. God changed my feelings about praying for those unrepentant people. He replaced my disgust toward them with hopeful expectations for their future.

Now when I see their names on my prayer list, God reminds me of their potential in him, not their past.

Galatians 6:9 exhorts us, Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Persevering in prayer is a part of our doing good. So, let us hang in there. 

Father, when we view others, open our eyes to their potential in Christ. 

Carol