August 11, 2022

Habakkuk 2: 1 (NIV)

I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give.

True prayer involves the expectancy of God’s answer, and of the worshipper’s earnestly watching to receive it.*

Habakkuk is ready to hear from God. He has announced his intentions to watch for God’s answer. What can we learn from Habakkuk about prayer? 

1. Specific prayer. He wasn’t waiting for God to reveal a random message to him. Chapter 1, verses 12-17, records his request – or, as some describe it, his complaint. 

2. Expectant prayer. Habakkuk knew from previous experience (chapter 1, verses 1-11), that God would answer him. 

3. Patient prayer. He was willing to wait for God’s answer. 

Someone has described this verse as “the spiritual preparation of the prophet's soul for hearing the word of God within.”* Prayer is like any other spiritual discipline – the more you do it, the better you do it. To prepare your soul for hearing the word of God, practice Habakkuk’s three-step procedure: 

1. Pray specifically. Developing this discipline will require you to zero in on what you really want. Often we are afraid to express our true desires. Maybe we think God won’t give us what we want because it’s a frivolous request – but ask anyway. Working through your fear and your shallowness is part of the discipline. 

2. Pray in faith. If God has spoken to you in the past, you are ready for this one. If this is new to you, include in your prayer a request for stronger faith. 

3. Wait. This is the hard part, but God has all the time in the world and he will use as much of it as he needs to arrange to work all things out for your good. 

Prayer is not really about getting things from God. Prayer is about building a relationship with the heavenly Father who loves you and longs to be with you. Spend some time with him and you will find yourself feeling the same way about him!

There is no way to learn to pray except by praying.*