Good and godly people do suffer for no apparent reason, which may cause them to lose faith and confidence in God. Consider Zacharias and Elizabeth.

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

Luke 1:5-7,13

Luke tells us Zacharias and Elizabeth—a good and godly couple—were childless. Sadly, they lived in a time when childlessness was seen as a form of divine punishment and a stigma of shame. Yet, in the midst of unanswered prayers, the couple continued to trust God until they were old. It is interesting that both their names bear witness to their faith in God. Zacharias means “God remembers” and Elisabeth means “God is my assurance”.

Indeed, the Angel Gabriel assured Zacharias that God remembered all his prayers. And now God was ready to bless Zacharias and Elisabeth with a son named John which means “God is gracious”. God didn’t previously answer Zacharias’ prayers—not because they were wrong – but the timing wasn’t right.

Here is a good lesson.

When you believe God with your prayers, you must believe God in His timing to answer them.

Best of all, God always answers all our prayers with grace.

Jesus tells us to keep praying and not lose heart (Luke 18:1). To lose heart is easy, especially when you just feel tired and want to give up. Pray instead. Prayer frees you to receive what God has freely given you in Christ. Prayer is a rest when you can trust God who is too caring to leave you and too loving to forsake you.