“When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh [and] brought the boy to Eli. ‘Sir, do you remember me?’ Hannah asked. ‘I am the woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and He has granted my request’” (1 Samuel 1: 24-27, NLT).

It is natural to face discouragement when praying for something for many years. Hannah understood the heartache of longsuffering. Unable to bear children, she was rejected, scorned and ridiculed by society. One day as Hannah sat outside the temple entrance, she wept bitterly as she begged the Lord for a child. In her great anguish and grief, the Lord heard her prayer and granted her request. A few years later, Hannah returned to the temple, wholly transformed by God’s sovereignty and compassion.

It is not for us to understand why some prayers take longer to be answered. Bible translation is often an unavoidably slow process, taking years, decades or generations to complete. This can be discouraging to prayer warriors. The battle is long, but we know that the victory belongs to God and that He has a plan. We must persevere in prayer for these remaining language communities. If we don’t, who will?

• Pray today for the countless individuals who still wait for God’s Word. 
  
  
• Ask God to fill your heart with hope as you persevere in prayer. His answer is coming. Do not despair!
  
  
• Ask Him to multiply the harvest by sending more workers to the field. Pray that these workers might help speed the task of sending forth His Word!