When we pray sometimes the answers pour in, but it is usually more like the trickle of small waterfalls. Bronlynn shares.
“He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains” (Psalm 104:10).
This past summer we moved to a mountainous area of western North Carolina, sometimes called “the land of waterfalls” because there are so many of them here.
My husband has hiked to a number of them already. Some are high and impressive, with volumes of water pouring over the edges. Some flow gradually with two or three drop-offs at various increments. And some are small and unimpressive, with only trickles of water.
These waterfalls remind me of answers to my prayers. I want God to answer me with voluminous falls, pouring down what I think I think I need in great amounts. And sometimes He does, such as giving me supernatural strength to get through this major move or a difficult bout of pain.
Sometimes His answers come gradually, such as when medical issues or other problems are resolved in increments. And then there are times when His answers seem unimpressive–if noticeable at all–such as when I pray for pain relief or help that doesn’t seem to come.
All waterfalls, whether spectacular to me or not, are works of God. The same is true for His answers to prayer. When He answers with a trickle, He is still there. The falls that trickle now have been filled with rushing water before and will be again.
God’s waters of love and support are still flowing powerfully even when He only displays a small portion of them.
I will continue to be surrounded by mountains of difficulties in this life, but God’s waterfalls will continue to pour over me through them. So let me notice the quiet presence of the small ones, relish the power of the magnificent ones, and appreciate the miracle of them all.
Prayer: O Lord, I want You to answer my prayer requests in spectacular, powerful ways, but You don’t always choose to do that. Help me trust in Your presence and power even when I don’t see any answers, knowing that Your source of life-giving water will never fail. Amen.
About the author:
Bronlynn Spindler lives in North Carolina and is blessed to have the support and encouragement of a wonderful husband and three grown daughters, one wonderful son-in-law, and two more coming into the family this fall. God’s grace and strength have brought her through thyroid cancer and continue to sustain her through ongoing back pain, depression, headaches, multiple sensitivities, eye pain, and fibromyalgia. You may view her blog of devotionals at http://www.aplaceofsprings57.blogspot.com.
When God seems to answer your prayer requests in trickles rather than torrents, how do you respond?
Whether you are in the midst of feeling God’s blessings and answers to prayers–or wondering if He is still there–we can always find a reason to “Cry Out To Jesus” as this song tells us, by Third Day. He longs to know we recognize our need for Him. He doesn’t get excited about our prayers when they are offered out of obligation and while we are distracted by other things. Cry out today. – Lisa
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