Freely Speaking - Devotional by Sharee Gaiser

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation. 

Today’s devotional was written and narrated by Sharee Gaiser. 

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1 (NIV) 

God has answered many of my prayers over the years. Some have been simple, like finding a car park close to the shopping centre on a rainy day. Others have been much bigger, heartfelt prayers for healing, guidance, provision, and strength during difficult seasons. 

I have never doubted that God hears me when I pray. What I do struggle with, however, is the timing of His answers. There have been prayers I have brought before God faithfully for weeks, months, and sometimes years, only to become discouraged when nothing changed. Waiting can feel difficult, especially when we cannot see God moving or understand what He is doing behind the scenes. 

Throughout Scripture, we see faithful people who waited a long time for God’s promises to unfold. Abraham waited years for a son. Hannah prayed persistently for a child. David endured long seasons of hardship before becoming king.  

In The Gospel of Luke 18, Jesus shares the parable of the persistent widow to encourage His followers to keep praying and not lose heart. The widow continued bringing her request day after day, refusing to give up. Jesus used her example to show that persistent prayer matters — not because God is reluctant to listen, but because prayer keeps us connected to Him while we wait. Our prayers are never a bother to God; He welcomes us to come to Him again and again. 

Sometimes God answers quickly, slowly, or differently than we expect. Yet in every season, He remains faithful and good. Even when heaven feels quiet, God is listening. Silence is not rejection, and delay does not mean He has forgotten us. 

Waiting seasons can deepen our trust and teach us to depend on God in more meaningful ways. They remind us that faith is not only about receiving answers, but also about trusting God’s character while we wait. 

What prayer have I stopped bringing to God because the answer seems delayed, and how can I trust Him while I wait? 

Thank you for joining us today. To learn more about OhSoFree Ministries and Gracelight Collective, please visit us at www.gracelightcollective.org