Waiting Is Hard, But God Still Answers Prayer

“Waiting is hard.” That is a basic, non-earth-shattering truth. We are all aware of it, and yet we all struggle with it to some degree. For the child, waiting may involve the weighty anticipation of Christmas morning or the pitiful longing to go outside and play. For the adult, waiting may involve the agonizing expectation of test results from a doctor, the uneasy biding of time until the next paycheck, or the long-suffering yearning for a spouse. For me and my wife, we have been enduring the painful waiting for a child.

Perhaps its naivety or hubris, but I figured once the wedding bells tolled, a baby would be a quick, natural consequence of the marriage journey. My wife and I desired to have children from the get-go, so I assumed I would be constructing a crib within a year of our wedding. Not so. Not so at all. A pure and innocent desire to follow Scripture’s command to be fruitful and multiply led to a path I was not expecting—a path that was, at times, full of bitterness and hopelessness.

Months of trying led to the discovery of certain medical issues with my wife. Once those issues were believed to be resolved, then I became the target—testing…bad news…surgery…testing…bad news…vitamins…testing…bad news…prescriptions…testing…bad news. It’s a weighty feeling when Satan whispers in your ear, suggesting you’re the “guilty” party, you’re the one holding everything up, you’re the one worthy to be branded with a large “P” for “Problematic.” Fortunately, throughout this journey, I’ve largely avoided those landmines of dark thinking, but there are still those nights that seem particularly darker than any others. We’re all vulnerable at times. We’re all susceptible to attacks.

In these last few months and years (and especially in these most recent times embroiled with question marks and uncertainty), I have turned to examples throughout Scripture for hope and encouragement. Problems are nothing new, and the Bible is full of individuals who had all sorts of problems and times of strife. However, the most salient example I have revisited on multiple occasions is Hannah, the mother of Samuel the prophet.

1 Samuel 1 paints the backdrop of Samuel’s birth by focusing on his mother’s story. Hannah was the first wife of Elkanah, a Levite, and the Lord kept Hannah from conceiving. Moreover, Elkanah had a second wife, Peninnah, who had multiple children. It appears from the context of the passage (1 Sam. 1:2,6) that Elkanah attempted to solve his family problem (not being able to have children with Hannah) by taking a second wife. This, of course, introduced a less-than-ideal family situation that led to much strife, especially for Hannah.

The text clearly states that each year Elkanah would go up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of Hosts. Whenever, he offered a sacrifice, he always gave portions of the meat to Peninnah and each of her sons and daughters. However, to Hannah, he gave a double portion for he loved her even though she could not conceive. For years (and I’ll repeat that phrase because it can be overlooked in such a short passage)…for years Hannah could not conceive, and Peninnah severely taunted and provoked Hannah year after year. Even when Hannah went to the Lord’s house, Hannah endured emotional trauma filled with much weeping, and Hannah ultimately refused to eat. Elkanah responded to Hannah by saying: “Hannah, why are you crying?…Why don’t you eat? Why are you troubled? Am I not better to you than 10 sons?” (1 Sam. 1:8).

After eating and drinking at Shiloh, Hannah got up. Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s tabernacle. Hannah was deeply hurt and prayed to the Lord with many tears: “Lord of Hosts, if You will take notice of Your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give Your servant a son, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut.” (1 Sam. 1:10-11).

While she was praying in the Lord’s presence, Eli watched her lips. Seeing that Hannah’s lips were moving, but no sound could be heard, Eli believed Hannah was drunk and scolded her, “How long are you going to be drunk? Get rid of your wine!” Hannah gracefully replied, “No, my lord…I am a woman with a broken heart. I haven’t had any wine or beer; I’ve been pouring out my heart before the Lord. Don’t think of me as a wicked woman; I’ve been praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment.” (1 Sam. 1:12-16).

And, Eli responded, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the petition you’ve requested from Him. “May your servant find favor with you,” Hannah replied. Then, Hannah went on her way; she ate and no longer appeared downcast. (1 Sam. 1:17-18). After worshiping and bowing to the Lord, Elkanah and Hannah returned home. Later, Elkanah was intimate with Hannah, and after some time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. And, she named him Samuel. (1 Sam. 1:19-20).

After the boy was weaned and still young, Hannah took Samuel to the Lord’s house and presented the boy to Eli. Reminding Eli of her prayer, Hannah gave the boy to the Lord in faithful service and in fulfillment of her vow. And, Hannah prayed this triumphant prayer (1 Sam. 2:1-10):

My heart rejoices in the Lord;

my horn is lifted up by the Lord.

My mouth boasts over my enemies,

because I rejoice in Your salvation.

There is no one holy like the Lord.

There is no one besides You!

And there is no rock like our God.

Do not boast so proudly,

or let arrogant words come out of your mouth,

for the Lord is a God of knowledge,

and actions are weighed by Him.

The bows of the warriors are broken,

but the feeble are clothed with strength.

Those who are full hire themselves out for food,

but those who are starving hunger no more.

The woman who is childless gives birth to seven,

but the woman with many sons pines away.

The Lord brings death and gives life;

He sends some to Sheol, and He raises others up.

The Lord brings poverty and gives wealth;

He humbles and He exalts.

He raises the poor from the dust

and lifts the needy from the garbage pile.

He seats them with noblemen

and gives them a throne of honor.

For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;

He has set the world on them.

He guards the steps of His faithful ones,

but the wicked perish in darkness,

for a man does not prevail by his own strength.

Those who oppose the Lord will be shattered;

He will thunder in the heavens against them.

The Lord will judge the ends of the earth.

He will give power to His king;

He will lift up the horn of His anointed.

“But, our sights shouldn’t be set on the billowing waves. No, we should fix our eyes on the unwavering truth of an unwavering God.”

Reflecting on this snippet of Hannah’s life has brought to mind several key truths about waiting, prayer, and God. At a minimum, it should serve as a source of encouragement when the waters of life are turbulent, undulating, and seem to be crashing in on all sides. Even now, society is plagued with so many competing narratives, a flip-flopping economy, barren store shelves, mandated isolation, and, more importantly, the compromised health of thousands of individuals. Few, if any, will come out the other side of these COVID-19 days unscathed. But, our sights shouldn’t be set on the billowing waves. No, we should fix our eyes on the unwavering truth of an unwavering God.

Here are five truths gleaned from Hannah’s life story that should bring comfort during turbulent times:

1. “Wait” does not necessarily mean “no.” Many have heard the adage that God answers prayer in three ways: yes, no, or wait. It’s generally that third option that can be the most difficult to digest. I like black and white, binary options (multiple choice was never my strong suit). “Wait” brings no immediate satisfaction, but then that’s the point, isn’t it? We’re focused on the answer to what may be a very small question in the grand scheme. When we’re met with “wait,” we may feel like we’re traipsing around in darkness. Or, perhaps we feel that God has covered His ears or gone to sleep on us. We ignore the fact that “wait” ultimately results in one of the first two options: “yes” or “no.” Even in Hannah’s case, her bitter prayers in verses 10 and 11 (which certainly weren’t her first prayers for a child) led to more waiting. Verse 20 begins: “After some time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son.” The ultimate answer to Hannah’s prayer was “yes,” but she received a long line of “wait” answers from the Lord.

2. God is working even in the silence. The waiting period can feel like utter silence from God, especially during prayer. Is He listening? What is He even doing? Again, we may be in it for the immediate answers. We ignore God’s greater plans or the change He seeks in us. Waiting produces growth. In our waiting, we develop dependence on the Lord, patience, hope, thankfulness, among other fruits and perspectives. Hopefully, we develop a right perspective of God—that He is bigger than any of our problems; that He is God, and we are not; that His plans are greater than anything we can comprehend. In fact, God desires to have an authentic relationship with each of us. The season of waiting that Hannah endured resulted in her “pouring out [her] heart before the Lord…[and] praying from the depth of [her] anguish and resentment.” There is a precious intimacy that was developed in these moments of prayer that otherwise would have been lost had Hannah been granted a son after her first prayer years before. I, too, have seen this growth in my seasons of waiting—for school, for jobs, for my wife, for medical test results, etc. Trust me, God was at work in each of those seasons. While I was on my knees, God was busy preparing the path forward.

3. God remains faithful and understands our circumstances even when those around us do not. Psalm 91:4 says: “He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield.” Thank the Lord that He is immutable and ever faithful. We can count on His faithfulness and understanding when those around us (even those closest to us) do not understand. It strikes me that as Hannah wrestles with God during her season of waiting, she was not necessarily comforted by those around her. Peninnah openly attacked and taunted her. Elkanah “tried” to reassure her, asking, “Why are you troubled? Am I not better to you than 10 sons?” But, Elkanah was more aloof than anything else (Nice try, Elkanah…although, I’m a husband, too. I can’t harp on him too much—I too often miss the mark when trying to encourage my wife). Finally, Eli the priest accused Hannah of being drunk while she was praying (not a ministerial accusation I’m personally familiar with, but I have to believe Eli had previous encounters with disorderly conduct around the Lord’s tabernacle). I often say that I’m glad our hope is not in people. Fortunately, we can place our hope in God who is constant and knows our circumstances far better than any other individual (even ourselves) for it is He who knit each person together in his or her mother’s womb.

4. God is in control even when we lack control. Let’s face it—control is an illusion. I am constantly at the mercy of the Lord for everything big and small—even the current breath in my lungs. God is in control. [Now, there are those that suggest that the Lord spun everything into motion only to sit back and let the chips fall where they may. I don’t know who these people are talking about, but it certainly isn’t the sovereign God described in the Bible.] God is intimately involved with His creation. He knows the number of hairs on my head (even the grey ones), and all things hold together through Him. (Matthew 10:29-31; Colossians 1:16-17). When it comes to prayer, He knows the answer before you even come to Him with your petition. God knew the plans He had for Hannah, and after the birth of Samuel, Hannah presented a beautiful prayer to the Lord, recognizing His sovereignty: “There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no one besides You! And there is no rock like our God….The Lord brings death and gives life; He sends some to Sheol, and He raises others up. The Lord brings poverty and gives wealth; He humbles and He exalts.” (1 Sam. 2:2,6-7). I always like the image of viewing our life as a book with various chapters. God knows the entire storyline, but we’re only in chapter 13 or 30 or 52. Be reassured that the Author and Maker is in control of your story and history at large.

5. God is still in the business of answering prayer. This observation should go without saying, but I think we need to remind ourselves of its truth. We can easily be bogged down by waiting on answers or the generally unpleasant things we face each day in this broken world. We forget or gloss over all the times God answered prayers leading up to the present moment. In that spirit, we should overflow with gratitude for all that God has already done for us and through us. He answered the greatest prayer this broken world had around 2,000 years ago when He sent His son to die at Calvary on our behalf, providing the Way for us to be reconciled to Himself. All other prayers are so small in comparison. Nevertheless, Hannah was ultimately reminded that God answers prayer through the birth of her son. Samuel was a constant reminder that God still moves.

As I noted at the beginning of this blog, my wife and I have been enduring a prolonged season of waiting for a child. It has been painful, and it has been raw. There have been tears, and there have been prayers from utter despair. The sensitivity of our situation became more and more hurtful with each person who innocently asked, “When are you having children?” But, Hannah and other examples like her in the Bible have been a source of encouragement.

In late October or early November, my wife and I will welcome our first child—a precious little girl. She is a constant reminder of God’s grace and that He is the ultimate source of life. Moreover, my wife and I can confidently confirm the points above. “Wait” does not necessarily mean “no.” God is working even in the silence. God remains faithful and understands our circumstances even when those around us do not. God is in control even when we lack control.

And, yes, while waiting is hard, God is still in the business of answering prayer.

Z. Montgomery (L.G.’s future daddy)