The purpose of our life on earth is to grow, develop, and be strengthened through our own experiences. How do we do this? The scriptures give us an answer in one simple phrase: we “wait upon the Lord” (Psalm 37:9; 123:2; Isaiah 8:17; 40:31; 2Nephi 18:17).
What does it mean to wait upon the Lord? In the scriptures, the word wait means to hope, to anticipate, and to trust. To hope and trust in the Lord requires faith, patience, humility, meekness, long-suffering, keeping the commandments, and enduring to the end.
To wait upon the Lord means planting the seed of faith and nourishing it (see Alma 32:41).
It means praying as the Savior did—to God, our Heavenly Father—saying: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done” (Matthew 6:10; Luke 11:2). It is a prayer we offer with our whole souls in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Waiting upon the Lord means pondering in our hearts and “receiv[ing] the Holy Ghost” so that we can know “all things what [we] should do” (2Nephi 32:5).
As we follow the promptings of the Spirit, we discover that “tribulation worketh patience” (Romans 5:3) and we learn to “continue in patience until [we] are perfected” (D&C 67:13).
Waiting upon the Lord means to “stand fast” (Alma 45:17) and “press forward” in faith, “having a perfect brightness of hope” (2Nephi 31:20).
It means “relying alone upon the merits of Christ” (Moroni 6:4) and “with [His] grace assisting [us, saying]: Thy will be done, O Lord, and not ours” (D&C 109:44).
As we wait upon the Lord, we are “immovable in keeping the commandments,” (Alma 1:25) knowing that we will “one day rest from all [our] afflictions” (Alma 34:41).
And we “cast not away … [our] confidence” (Hebrews 10:35) that “all things wherewith [we] have been afflicted shall work together for [our] good” (D&C 98:3).
May we wait upon Him by pressing forward in faith, that we may say, “Thy will be done” (Matthew 26:42), and return to Him with honor.
FAQs
Wait quietly — “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, because my hope is in him” (Psalm 62:5 NLT). Wait patiently — “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act” (Psalm 37:7a NLT). Wait expectantly — “I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for he has promised” (Psalm 130:5 TLB).
How to wait for God's answer? ›
Wait quietly — “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, because my hope is in him” (Psalm 62:5 NLT). Wait patiently — “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act” (Psalm 37:7a NLT). Wait expectantly — “I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for he has promised” (Psalm 130:5 TLB).
How can I effectively wait on the Lord? ›
9 Ways We Are To Wait Upon the Lord
- Acknowledging God's sovereign control of all things. ...
- Coming to terms with our dependence upon God. ...
- Seeking spiritual strength from the Lord. ...
- Being patient and quiet. ...
- Refraining from needless fear and worry. ...
- Continuing to learn and obey God's commands. ...
- Expecting the Lord to save.
There are three steps which aid us in waiting upon the Lord: time in God's Word, time in prayer, and time in His Presence.
What not to do while waiting on God? ›
3 Things Not to Do While You Wait
- Don't take matters into your own hands. Raise your hand if you often take matters into your own hands. ...
- Don't doubt what God can do. ...
- Don't put your trust in people over God. ...
- Let God be God. ...
- Trust that God can do what He says He can do. ...
- Be brave to come close to Jesus. ...
- Genesis 21:1-7 (ESV)
While you are waiting God is working (Rom. 8:28). The second reason seems to be inaction. Verse 31 says, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength….” Wait does not mean to do nothing.
How to pray for your prayers to be answered? ›
To receive answers to your prayers, decide what you want from God and find scriptures for what you need. Ask God for those things, and when you pray, believe that you receive them. Let every thought affirm that you have what you've asked for. And guard your mind against every evil thought.
What does God want us to do while waiting? ›
God wants us to know that waiting is far from a passive activity in which we do nothing. In fact, Scripture teaches us that God wants us to actively participate in the work he desires to accomplish. Waiting strategically can cultivate good fruit in in our lives such as patience, perseverance, and endurance.
How do you wait on God in silence? ›
“For God alone my soul waits in silence . . . my hope is from him” (Psalm 62:1, 5). If we lean on him while we wait, God will give us the grace to wait and to listen carefully as we pray, go to trusted Christ-followers for encouragement, and keep opening his word and asking him to help us hear him.
What happens when you wait on God? ›
It is extremely rewarding to wait upon the Lord. In the process, He not only strengthens our faith and perfects us but bestows a blessing upon blessing on us. The greatest blessing of all is knowing Him and His love more and more.
For many, the deepest pain of waiting lies in the sense that God, who once seemed so near, now feels so far away. We may find ourselves saying with David, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1).
How to know God's timing? ›
To know God's timing, you must first know His will for your life. If you are born again and walking in fellowship with God, your desires and God's desires should be the same.
When you deny God three times? ›
Following the arrest of Jesus, Peter denied knowing him three times, but after the third denial, he heard the rooster crow and recalled the prediction as Jesus turned to look at him. Peter then began to cry bitterly. This final incident is known as the Repentance of Peter.
What is the difference between waiting on God and waiting for God? ›
What is the difference between waiting on God and waiting for God? The hebrew word qãvâ applied specificaly for God, seems different than the use of the word wait on/for in plain english. The phrase wait on should be used only when referring to serving someone or something.
What to read when waiting on God? ›
7 Verses for Seasons of Waiting
- Psalm 37:7. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
- Proverbs 3:5-6. ...
- Isaiah 30:18. ...
- Isaiah 64:4. ...
- Lamentations 3:25. ...
- Philippians 4:6-7. ...
- James 5:11.
7 Ways to Prepare for Jesus' Return (Session 11 – Mark 13:24-37)
- Live in the light of His first coming.
- Be discerning.
- Accept the uncertainties.
- Don't lose hope.
- Encourage one another.
- Live as if today was the day.
- Keep on doing the work Jesus left us to do.
Through the scriptures, we are taught that God will always hear our prayers and will answer them if we address Him with faith and real intent. In our hearts we will feel the confirmation that He does hear us, a feeling of peace and calm. We can also feel that everything will be fine when we follow the Father's will.
What is the prayer for waiting on God? ›
May the words of the Psalmist be true of me, "I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope" (Psalm 130:5). Help me to remain faithful in this place of waiting. Help me to serve you and live for you even in this crossroad of my life. Help me to wait as long as it takes.
