SOMETIMES – A DELAYED RESPONSE
A. Abraham (25 years) – Gen. 12:4, 7; 17:1 & c.
B. David – 1. His Intercessory & Final Prayer – Psa. 72 2. His Last Words (& God’s Through Him) – 2 Sam. 23:1
C. Israel – due to Grace – Isa. 30:18 Cp.2 Cor. 12:9
D. Jeremiah (10 days) – Jer. 42:7
E. Daniel (21 days) – Dan. 10:3-13
F. Lazarus (4 days) – John 11
Note: Consider the parable of importunity (overly solicitous, harassment) in Luke 11:5-8; the fatherly response in 11:9 & c.; and, the Canaanite woman in Mat. 15:21-28.
G. Paul’s (thrice) – due to Grace – 2 Cor. 12:9 Cp. Isa. 30:18
SOMETIMES – ANSWER BEFORE THE PRAYER
A. Forgiven When Repent – Psa. 32:5; 2 Chron. 7:14 Cp. Luke 15:17-20; Jer. 18:8-10; Ezek. 33:13- 16
B. Will Answer [eye, pay attention, respond] Before [non-occurrence] Call – Isa. 65:24
C. Father Knoweth Before – Mat. 6:8, 32-33; Luke 12:30 Cp. Isa. 65:24
BIBLICAL EXAMPLES
A. Elijah – 1 Kings 18:24-39
B. Solomon – 2 Chron. 7:1 & cc.
C. Hezekiah – Sennacharib - 2 Kgs. 19:14-19; Sickness - 2 Kgs. 20:2 >; 2 Chron. 30-32
D. Job – captivity removed and received double f(prayed for his ‘friends’) - Job 42:10
E. Daniel – Dan. 10:1 & cc.
F. Jeroboam’s Hand – 1 Kgs. 13:4-6 Cp. Prophet’s death
G. Salvation: Peter (Mat. 14:29-30); Publican (Luke 18:13-14); Pentecost (Acts 1-2). Cp. Luke 11:13 (Holy Ghost by “asking”, Ref. a beggar to a generous person).
H. Jesus Prayers: Luke 22:31 I. Paul – prayed for the Romans and Thessalonican’s work – Rom. 1:9; 1 Thes. 1:3
Note: Paul requested the “sword of the spirit” be used by praying for him – Eph. 6:17-19.