Your prayer has been heard. How can I be sure of this?

Zechariah and Elizabeth had prayed for a child. But year after year passed and she remained barren. They remained faithful through it all. Upright in the sight of God. By the time Gabriel, the angel of the Lord appeared, they were both “well along in years.” But Gabriel brought a Word from the Lord. He brought good news. “Your prayer has been heard. Your wife will bear you a son. And he will be great in the sight of the Lord.” What wonderful news! Except it wasn’t wonderful to Zechariah. It doesn’t say how long ago the prayer was prayed. Or for how long the prayer remained the same. It doesn’t say if the prayer had long ago been abandoned. Or if the dream of a child was a yesterday prayer. But it does record Zechariah’s doubt. His disbelief. “How can I be sure of this?”, he asked. He wanted proof. Zechariah was in the temple serving God when Gabriel appeared. Worshipers were praying outside. He was as close to God as he could be. And yet he still doubted. He still wanted proof that what God said He would do, would be done. Oh Lord, that is all of us. Still doubting when it doesn’t happen how we want. Or when we want. Still believing our timetable would make more sense. That our desires should be higher than Yours. Lord, we pray and we want instant answers. Easy answers. Answers that fit in with our agenda. We pray and then give up on prayers. And certainly don’t keep praying for years. We aren’t a people that follows through. We are easily discouraged. Easily given to doubts. We question You, Lord. Even when You send good news. Even when our prayer is answered. But especially if You asked us to wait for that answer. Because we are not a people who likes to wait for anything. Even to wait for You. Forgive us, Lord, for our selfish motives. Forgive our doubting hearts. Forgive our unbelief. May we be steadfast in trusting that Your way is the only way. In Jesus’ Name we pray.