Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. Hebrews 11:1 TPT
Too often we think that pastors, evangelists and other Believers have the kind of faith that is seen immediately what they prayed and believed for. Perhaps we think like that to make ourselves feel better when our answers aren’t seen soon after we pray. Or perhaps it’s an excuse for not truly believing when we pray or even praying at all! As great as God is, He can’t answer a prayer that isn’t ever prayed. And our faith doesn’t develop because we aren’t patient enough.
Most of us would say Billy Graham was a spiritual giant and leader, who influenced not only people but entire nations and saw God move in amazing ways whenever he was a part of something. As I was reading Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham, I came across an account of how Dr. Graham dealt with the spiritual coldness of the Soviet Union. He wanted to preach in Russia, but because of Communism and the Cold War, they would not allow him to. But in 1959 he decided to visit Russia as a tourist. While there he asked to visit Lenin Stadium in Moscow. While there he envisioned standing before the masses preaching the the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and them overwhelmingly responding to the Grace of God for Salvation. So he quietly bowed his head and prayed that one day God would bring him back, but the next time to preach the Gospel.
Although he did return for a visit in 1982, he ultimately could only speak to a few Baptist and Orthodox churches and he also would have to be at The World Conference of Religious Workers for Saving the Sacred Gift of Life from Nuclear Catastrophe, which was quite controversial and caused him a lot of opposition. It wasn’t until 1992 that God opened the doors for for his prayer to become sight and it was more than he could have ever imagined. He shared the Gospel in a 38,000 seat stadium to over 50,000 people! That is correct between 20,000 to 30,000 additional people stood outside and watched him on large screens. He patiently waited 33 years always believing that one day God would open the Iron Curtain to proclaim the salvation of Jesus Christ because he knew it was the will of God that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9). So no matter what we see or hear, we need to keep believing what God says, because in His time He will make it happen.
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