How Long, Lord?

We pray. We believe. We wait. And somewhere in the waiting, we begin to wonder whether Heaven has forgotten our request.

Recently, I was listening to a documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman about the early history of the Earth. Scientists say that long ago the continents were not separated the way they are today. Instead, the entire landmass was joined into a single vast supercontinent called Pangaea.

The earth was still becoming itself. Over millions of years the earth slowly took its present form, continents separated, rivers formed, and new life emerged.

Listening to this account reminded me of something important about God. God is never in a hurry.

In the book of Genesis we are told that God created the world in seven days. But theologians have long pointed out that a “day” in God’s timing may not resemble a twenty-four-hour day at all. In God’s world, a single day could span centuries or even millions of years.

God’s work unfolds on a timeline far grander than the one we measure with clocks and calendars.

And yet, when we pray, we still ask: How long, Lord?

I remember once praying very specifically for something to happen. I kept asking God when the answer would arrive. One night I had a dream. In the dream, a small bird appeared and spoke very clearly.

“Five years,” the bird said.

Five years?! I woke up quite offended. Five years felt outrageous. Surely the Lord could arrange things much faster than that.

Those five years came and went. And during that time something remarkable happened. My thinking matured. And by the time the answer finally came, I was ready for it.

Looking back now, I understand that God had been working the entire time.  Just as the earth required vast seasons of shaping before new life could emerge, our prayers sometimes require seasons of preparation before the blessing arrives.

So if you find yourself asking today: How long, Lord? Take heart.

God hears every prayer. And when the moment finally comes, you will see that the timing was exactly right. It is a promise, darling.

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

— 2 Peter 3:8-9

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