Songs from the Spirit

Pray and Wait with Hands to Heaven

BY SARA SAHM

I’m usually an early-to-turn-in-work kind of girl. But today I’m late. Truth is, I’m in that place where all I can do is lift my hands to heaven and wait. But I don’t feel like I have words to pray, and it’s hard even to lift my hands. I open my Bible, and my mind wanders. I pray, and I find myself thinking of tomorrow’s problems.

A couple of weeks ago, a friend asked me what I do when I don’t feel like God is answering. “It’s like all I can do is pray and wait,” she said.

“In those times, all you can do is pray and wait,” I responded. She had answered her own question, and I had no more true advice to offer.

It’s not the praying that tests our faith; that’s our obedience. It’s in the waiting that our faith is tested and refined. It’s when we feel alone and hopeless and want to force life to fall into place ahead of God’s timing. It’s when we don’t act on our own strength that God can move, and we find out what strength is. It’s in the waiting when we get to see God work miracles. And that is a hope I know to be true and dependable!

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (ISAIAH 41:10 NIV).

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (NIV).

Sometimes, it’s hard to admit we have times of waiting and aloneness that cause us to doubt or fear. The Bible refers to it as being in the wilderness. I know I’m not alone in feeling this way. The Psalms are filled with David’s lamenting cries, asking God to reveal Himself again. David kept seeking and praising, and so will I.

For those of you feeling alone, I pray this reminds you that feeling lonely doesn’t mean you are alone. Feeling hopeless doesn’t mean you don’t have hope. Feeling God is distant doesn’t mean God is far.

Today, I’m in the waiting. I know I’ll feel God’s presence again. I know He is with me even now. Somewhere, I must have taken a wrong turn, and I know that as I wait and seek God, His answer will be revealed in His timing. Until then, I will keep lifting my hands to heaven.

From a very young age, Sara dreamed of sharing God’s Word through music and word. Through many ups and downs, that dream has become a reality. She is a published author and sings with her church and other women’s ministry teams. Sara resides in Jupiter, Florida, with her family. Her music is available on her website, sarasahmmusic.com.