There are only three answers to prayer. They are yes, no, or wait. But, what is considered to be the hardest to receive?
To answer this, we need to go back a few years to when I was in 10th grade. My Sunday school teacher had a lesson on this very topic. He asked the class what we thought the hardest answer to a prayer could be. After a minute or two of no one giving an answer, I piped up and said “I think the hardest answer to prayer is no.” I gave my reason why, and it was probably something along the lines of we don’t like to hear no especially when we really want something. Then, my friend Kristen said “I think the hardest answer to prayer is wait.” She too gave her reason, which I can’t remember exactly, but whatever it was, I understood her point. I still didn’t change my mind though.
Fast forward to January of this year, which is the time that I finally made my decision on what answer is hardest. I was at a really hard time in my life because I kept trying to find a roommate for college, and no one was really answering. I felt as if no one liked me or that something was wrong with me. On a Tuesday night, I went to bed crying because I was so upset that nothing was working out. I prayed that night about finding a roommate, and I heard the word “wait.” I thought I was imagining things, but then I heard it again clear as day. The very next day I complained that if God was trying to teach me patience, I didn’t have any. I had been trying for months to find a roommate and now he wanted me to wait longer! Lucky for me, waiting was only for two days. That Thursday, God sent me my new roommate and new friend!
With all that being said, wait is the hardest answer to get in prayer. When you are told yes or no, you at least know what the answer is. Most people are very impatient, so waiting is not fun. You may have to wait a few days, a few weeks, or even a few years. Any amount of time is not fun or easy. The Bible tells us that we should “Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14). God has a plan for us, and waiting is not easy, but His plan is always to best even if He answers yes, no, or wait.
