According to a recent study, the average person will spend five years waiting in lines. Six months of that waiting is at traffic lights alone! So, that means, in your lifetime, you will spend nearly 2,628,000 minutes waiting. With the high value our culture places on speed and time management, the idea of waiting is often considered time wasted.

Biblically though, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, waiting could be considered a spiritual discipline vital to one’s growth and maturity when utilized well. Psalm 62:1-8 recounts a waiting period King David experienced while fleeing his son, Absalom, who had stolen the allegiance of many in Israel.

During this incredibly challenging time, King David provides helpful direction when in a season of waiting:

Psalm 62:1-8, “I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. So many enemies against one man all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence. They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts. Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.”

Two times King David says he waits quietly before the Lord. The Hebrew word could also be translated as rest. It’s the idea that although his situation is chaotic, his spirit is at rest. But how is that possible? The next verse tells us how: “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.”

King David immediately turns his focus to God’s nature. His hope is not in a dwindled army or the fact that he’s the true king, but rather is anchored in the truth that God is his rock and salvation, and nothing will shake him to ultimate despair.

In times of waiting, the focus of our thoughts and words will create either a fortress of fear or a fortress of faith. When you choose to make the characteristics of God the center of your focus, you will find your faith strengthened during your season of waiting. This turns waiting into a weapon that will thwart the plans of the enemy.

Whether you’re waiting for healing, that financial breakthrough, or the salvation of a loved one, utilize the weapon of waiting, which will transform your prayers into powerful arrows against the enemy.

Scriptures

Psalm 62:1-8 (NLT)

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. So many enemies against one man all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence. They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts. Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

One of the most frequent responses to the question of what our world needs today is peace. From wars to tragic shootings to an unstable economy, the opportunity to allow anxiety and fear to rule our lives is very real. In fact, studies show that more people are experiencing increased anxiety and worry, which is leading to a host of physical conditions and illnesses. The Bible shows that we were designed for something much better: peace.

Jesus said this in John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

What an encouraging promise we have from Jesus! People are pursuing peace in many different ways, but peace doesn’t come from a place – it comes from a person. The first step to experiencing God’s peace is to recognize that it’s a gift to be received.

Then, Paul gives us very clear instruction on how to receive the gift of peace in Philippians 4:6-9, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

That’s amazing! Paul says we can live not under the weight of worry but instead with the power of peace. Here’s the path to the peace only God provides:

Exchange worry with prayer. Every time you begin to worry about a situation, exchange that worry with prayer. Instead of focusing on what is seemingly out of control, remember and turn your attention to the One who is always in control!

Defeat anxiety with thanksgiving. The number one weapon for defeating anxiety is thanksgiving – it’s the strategic defense that disarms the enemy. We thank God for all He’s done – because remembering His faithfulness in the past is the key to fueling our faith for the future.

Foster a healthy mind. Paul provides eight areas to focus our thoughts on. The peace that passes understanding comes through strategic thinking. As you go through your day, take inventory of what you allow into your mind. Studies continue to confirm that the increase of social media and news intake is one of the leading causes of increased anxiety. A healthy mind is fostered by intentionally guarding our minds.

Peace is a promised gift from Jesus. Through this time of prayer and fasting, bring your needs to God, thank him for all He’s done, and immerse your mind in His Word, “Then you will experience God’s peace…His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Scriptures

John 14:27 (NLT)
 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Philippians 4:6-9 (NLT)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Today we begin 21 days of prayer and fasting, and we are calling on God to answer the “here as is Heaven” prayer that Jesus taught us to pray. This is not a timid, play-it-safe kind of prayer, so it is no surprise that the person who taught us to use those bold words was none other than the Son of God. Jesus said, “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.’” (Matthew 6:9-10).

There is no doubt the disciples were taken aback by such an audacious request. As New Testament Scholar Leon Morris writes, “In Heaven, God’s will is perfectly done now, for there is nothing in Heaven to hinder it, and the prayer looks for a similar state of affairs here on earth.” Sometimes it’s hard for us to see anything beyond hinderances—earthly roadblocks to Heaven’s agenda abound. So, there’s a choice: do we yield to the current state of affairs that surrounds us or do we refuse to accept the status quo of our sin-sick world and believe for the priorities and power of Heaven to flood our lives? Jesus’ instruction makes the answer quite clear—we believe for “here as in Heaven.”

As the Kingdom of Heaven advances, the powers of darkness begin to retreat. We can pray confidently for healing, sickness does not exist in Heaven and God is our healer. Anxiety can be defeated because God is never worried, and He is our help in any time of trouble. We can be assured that as we call on God, He will make the impossible possible.

As we prepare our hearts for these next 21 days, we are praying for Heaven to come, and as God’s will is accomplished on the earth as it is in Heaven, we will see what we have never seen before!

Scriptures

Matthew 6:5–10 (NIV) — “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Over these past 21 days of Prayer and Fasting, we have set aside some things in order to fill our lives with something better. It is not possible to spend time seeking the Lord, asking Him to send revival, and something not happen, because God is faithful, and His Word promises that He responds to the prayers of His people.

The prophet Joel records a promise of what was to come for God’s people:

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth.” Joel 2:28-30a

He goes on to say in verse 32, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The book of Acts records what happened in the upper room as people were fervently calling on God. In Acts 2, Peter addresses a crowd and quotes the prophetic words of Joel declaring its fulfillment as the Spirit was being poured out on people.

This powerful promise from Scripture is available to every believer today. How encouraging to know that the God of the universe want to use us in such a dynamic way! His desire is to speak through us that His presence might be displayed to those around us.

Notice this happens as the Spirit is poured out. One of the most powerful prayers we can pray is for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our lives, in our cities, on our nation, and throughout the world. God’s desire is always to answer that prayer, but it begins with His people crying out for more!

Charles Finney says this about revival:

“A revival may be expected when Christians have a spirit of prayer for a revival. That is, when they pray as if their hearts were set upon it. When Christians have the spirit of prayer for a revival. When they go about groaning out their hearts desire. When they have real travail of soul.”

Finney says a revival may be expected as we desperately call on God. As we have committed ourselves to prayer and fasting these past 21 days, God has moved and is moving and responding to our prayers, and we can believe with all of our hearts that revival is upon us!

Scriptures

Joel 2:28-30 (ESV)

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke.

Joel 2:32 (ESV)

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.