Last night’s gospel was taken from 2 Peter 3 which gives us helpful information for prayer time. Huh? I know that the writing principally assures us that the Lord IS coming back, but it also offers an explanation for God’s concept of time as compared to ours. 

Verse 8 reminds us that “…with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” So, when we use the term “God’s time”, we are talking about a different definition of time. When I first read this passage as a younger person, seeking to find out why my prayers were not answered in my time, it did provide me with consolation and extracted some patience for my wait. 

I won’t deny that one day equaling a thousand days is a very long time to wait and be patient. Sometimes our requests need immediate attention and that does happen. However, when it doesn’t, patience and constant prayer are needed to get through this patch.  

It is important to remember that Peter wrote this to a people who were eagerly waiting for Jesus to return to earth as He promised. They wanted Him right now; things were tough; they were being persecuted-killed for their beliefs. Peter had to console them and shore up Jesus’ proclamation about His return.  

There is another important teaching in this chapter concerning the length of the wait. God wants us to be ready for His return. He wants all to come to repentance so that we won’t perish. Given what we know about man-womankind, we still have some work to do, and it may take a lot of time. I am grateful for God’s patience and unconditional love. 

During this Advent Season of Waiting, constant prayer will keep our hearts centered on Jesus and his work in the world. We can accept that God’s time is not always our time. We can be assured that our pleas will be answered as we walk along the path to eternal life.  

Remember, God loves you unconditionally. 

Terri