Praying with Expectation and Spiritual Eyesight

The idea of waiting with expectation can be a powerful—yet sometimes challenging— concept for many believers.

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. -Psalm 5:3

Faith-Filled Prayer vs. Routine Prayer

It’s easy to fall into a routine when it comes to prayer. We may pray every day, but how often do we truly expect God to answer? In Acts 12, we read about the miraculous escape of Peter from prison. The church had been praying fervently for his release. Yet, when Peter actually showed up at their door, they were astonished! Even though they had been praying, they didn’t truly expect God to answer in such a dramatic way. This story serves as a reminder that even those who pray with great sincerity can be surprised by the way God answers.

God Answers Prayer in Unexpected Ways

Our expectations of how God should answer our prayers can limit our ability to see the miraculous work He's doing. In 2 Kings 6, the prophet Elisha and his servant were surrounded by an enemy army. The servant panicked at the sight of the danger. But Elisha, with a calm and faith-filled perspective, prayed that God would open his servant’s eyes. Suddenly, the servant saw a vast army of fiery chariots surrounding them—God’s heavenly army, ready to fight on their behalf.

This story teaches us a vital lesson: When we face fear and uncertainty, it’s important to ask God to open our spiritual eyes, just as Elisha did. Sometimes, we can’t see God’s hand at work, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t active. When we pray with expectation and spiritual vision, we are more likely to recognize His power, even when it's not immediately visible to the naked eye.

Seeing with Spiritual Eyes

Prayer isn’t just about asking God to change His mind or do things our way. It’s about changing our perspective to align more with His will. As we spend time in prayer, God has the opportunity to reshape our hearts and minds.

Like Elisha’s servant, sometimes we need God to open our eyes so we can see things as He sees them. It may not always look the way we expect, but it will always be for a greater purpose.

Challenge: Shift Your Perspective on Prayer

Instead of simply asking God for what you think you need, pray with an open heart. Ask God to open your eyes to His reality. When you begin to pray with expectation, like Elisha, you'll develop a deeper trust in God’s guidance, even when you can’t see the full picture. In the end, you’ll find that God’s answers are exactly what you need; and they will lead you into a greater purpose than you ever imagined.