The cost of answered prayer

Therefore I tell you, everything you pray and ask for–believe that you have received it and it will be yours.

Mark 11:24

Have you ever prayed something, and just decided, man, Jesus promised I would receive this if I believe I have? And then you do?

Sometimes what happens is an instantaneous answer in shining glory. Yet I have recently been plunged into the sort of trial which makes me empathize with the psalmist in Ps. 66,

10 For you, God, tested us;
you refined us as silver is refined.
¹¹ You lured us into a trap;
you placed burdens on our backs.
¹² You let men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,

v10-12

I am still somewhat in that place of testing with relief interspersed in it. The psalmist gives hope to such people whose heads have been ridden over by people sent by God himself:

but you brought us out to abundance.

v12b

The cost of answered prayer is often utter desolation in the heart and life of the intercessor. Yet the answer is a sweet abundance which satisfies all shores. I will continue to pray but it’s incredibly difficult.