John Fogerty wrote Credence Clearwater Revival’s hit song, “Someday Never Comes.” The 70s song begins with:
“First thing I remember was asking Papa, ‘Why?’ For there were many things I didn’t know. And Daddy always smiled, took me by the hand, saying, ‘Someday, you’ll understand.’”
Fogerty’s impatient longing for “Someday” continues throughout the song’s verses, but the chorus remains the same:
“Well, I’m here to tell you now, each and every mother’s son,
“You better learn it fast, you better learn it young
‘cause someday never comes.”
What’s your “Someday” that never seems to come? What still leaves you confounded, no matter how hard you chase understanding?
Maybe you’ve prayed for physical healing, strongholds to be removed, addictions to be overcome, wayward children to return, or babies to be conceived. Maybe you desperately pleaded for a relationship to be rekindled, rescued, or, at the very least, reciprocated. You heard long ago that Jesus said, “Ask, and you’ll receive. Seek, and you’ll find. Knock, and the door will be opened.” Yet you’ve asked for the same thing every day for years and heard nothing but crickets.
In Luke 11, Jesus used a simple story to teach us a powerful lesson:
“Imagine what would happen if you were to go to one of your friends in the middle of the night, pound on his door, and shout, ‘Please! Do you have some food you can spare? A friend just arrived at my house unexpectedly and I have nothing to serve him.’ But your friend says, ‘Why are you bothering me? The door is locked and my family and I are all in bed. Do you expect me to get up and give you our food?’ I tell you—because of your shameless persistence, even though it’s the middle of the night, your friend will get up out of his bed and give you all that you need. So it is with your prayers. Ask and you’ll receive. Seek and you’ll discover. Knock on heaven’s door, and it will one day open for you. Every persistent person will receive what he asks for. Every persistent seeker will discover what he needs. And everyone who knocks persistently will one day find an open door.” (Luke 11:5-10, TPT)
Persistence in selfless prayers whittles away our selfish wants until what we truly need takes shape. Whether or not our circumstances change, prayer always changes us. “Every persistent seeker will discover what he needs.”
More often than not, God takes His time with us and proves His patience by allowing us to keep asking, seeking, and knocking until we gain insight. I’ve learned that while God works hard to change me, He’s just as passionate about changing those around me. He’s a patient teacher. Our job is to remain patient in the asking while trusting Him with the results. “Everyone who knocks persistently will ONE DAY find an open door.”
Like a small child, our favorite question for God (besides “When?”) is, “Why?” “Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.” (Ecclesiastes 11:5, NLT) There are so many things we don’t understand. Yet, whenever we take the time to enter His presence, He smiles, takes us by the hand, and whispers, “You don’t understand now, but someday you will.” (John 13:7, NLT)
Whatever you are praying for, don’t give up. “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” (Romans 12:12, CSB)
Dear Lord, forgive our impatience when Your answer is slow. Give us peace when Your answer is no. Rekindle our purpose when your answer says, “Go!” In Jesus’ name, Amen!
