Pray for Others As They Wait

Week 46, Tuesday

Mary Mohler

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. Psalm 39:7 (esv)

Would that we would resonate with the psalmist that our hope is simply in the Lord. We seem burdened by a long list of things for which we wait. Here are some common issues: marriage, motherhood, salvation of loved ones, healing from physical or mental disease, reconciliation of family or friends from a broken relationship, results from diet and lifestyle changes, freedom from addictions, employment, and deliverance from financial debt.

We, as believers, wait together for the Lord to produce fruit from the seeds we sow for the gospel. We wait for the resources needed to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, the horror of abortion to be outlawed, false religions to be exposed for what they are, and wars to cease.

We also have some collective things to wait for with eager anticipation and joy. We long for the wait to be over so that we will finally be in heaven, our home, with our risen Savior with whom we will reign forever. We wait for the day when we will keenly understand all the circumstances that are so perplexing now. We wait for the glad reunion that we know we will have with loved ones who are absent from the body but present with the Lord. We wait for the day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

So we wait for many things from many perspectives and many circumstances but we are all given the same commands to wait and claim the same promises of deliverance that God’s people have claimed through His Word for centuries.

Wait on the Lord. Before we look at how we can do so, will you consider the lists above again? You instantly know which topics plague you. Surely you know someone who is struggling even today with one or more of the items listed that may have never been an issue for you. Will you pray for others as they wait?

Father, I know that there are so many heartaches caused by the cares of this world. Please shower Your assurance today upon those whom You will now bring to my mind who are suffering. Amen.