Genesis 35: 3 We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.

I was praying for someone this morning.. and it occurs to me... about how long we pray for something and seem to receive no answers.. or we receive change in a situation or a person.. but it is not what we wanted or what we expected or maybe there is not change in anything at all other than our own hearts.... 

I began to think... what if God answered our prayers right away.... what if we heard Him.. even if it was a no.. in a short time after we prayed... while the initial thought is that this would be so great... while I was thinking about it.. I realize how much I have changed while waiting on answers from God... even when not praying about myself... I realize that I am a completely different person than I used to be.. I don't think the same... I don't act the same.. I don't feel the same.. all because of time spent in prayer... I find that in long term prayer for another person.. the outcome is no longer quite as important as God's will in their lives... whether that includes me or whether it does not... sometimes it is through praying for someone that we stop wanting our own will and be thankful for whatever it is that God chooses to do... 

I think intercession for someone else.. without regards to how things will turn out.. may be one of the greatest gifts God ever gives us...