Expectations

Pray with expectation. We’ve heard that phrase many times and it is an expression of faith, believing that God will hear and answer our prayers. But what happens when our expectations are unmet and our hopes are derailed? Hannah must have experienced that discouragement many times as she waited for her prayers for a child to be answered.

What do you do in moments like that when you feel your faith wavering and you begin to doubt when things start to go badly?

That’s when we need to remember what we know about God. Remembering who He is and what He has done will help us to renew our faith and belief that He will work all things out for the good of those who love Him.

When John the Baptist was in prison and struggling with his faith, Jesus sent men to tell John, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.  Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (Matthew 11:4-6)

Jesus wasn’t upset with John because he was having a moment of doubt – quite the opposite. He was patient and kind because He knows that unmet expectations can be really hard to deal with.

In her struggles with unmet expectations Hannah turned to God and poured her heart out to Him and in return He gave her peace in her circumstances and her face was no longer downcast.

Be Intentional about praying with expectation while waiting for God’s timing and will.

Praises & Prayers

Father, thank you for being patient with me in my doubts and disappointments from unmet expectations. Please help me to grow in my faithfulness to You, no matter the circumstances. Let my expectations align with Your perfect will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Messages from His Word

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.