Sometimes prayer waits like a petitioner at the palace gate, standing there until the King comes out to fill her arms with the blessings she seeks. When God has given someone great faith, he has been known to test it with long delays. He has let his servants' voices echo back to them from a sky that seems like brass. They have knocked at the golden gate, but it stays shut—as if rusted on its hinges. Like Jeremiah, they have cried out, "You have covered yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through!"

This is how true saints have waited. Long stretches of patient waiting without any answer. Not because their prayers lacked passion. Not because God rejected them. But simply because it pleased the Sovereign One, who gives according to his own good pleasure. If he chooses to exercise our patience, shall he not do as he wishes with what belongs to him? Beggars cannot be choosers about time, place, or method.

But listen carefully: do not mistake delayed prayers for denied prayers! God's long-dated bills will be paid in full, right on time. Do not let Satan shake your confidence in the God of truth by pointing to your unanswered prayers. Unanswered petitions are not unheard petitions. God keeps every prayer on file—they are not blown away by the wind, they are treasured in the King's archives. There is a registry in the courts of heaven where every prayer is recorded.

Tried and weary believer, your Lord has a tear-bottle where he stores every precious drop of sacred grief. He has a book where he numbers every holy groan that rises from your heart. In time, your case will prevail. Can you not be content to wait a little longer? Won't the Lord's timing be better than yours? Soon enough he will appear, to your soul's great joy. He will strip away the sackcloth and ashes of your long waiting and dress you in the scarlet and fine linen of prayers fully answered.