Waiting with Expectation

This morning I read Isaiah 65:24 (New Living Translation) that says:

I will answer them before they even call to me.
While they are still talking about their needs.
I will go ahead and answer their prayers!

I was so encouraged by this promise of answered prayer today, that also tied into the devotional I read from 'Pearls of Great Price,' by Joni Eareckson Tada. She writes:

"If God answers your prayer immediately, be thankful; if it's denied, be patient; if you are to wait, remain eager and expectant. He invites us to have an expectant attitude when we pray. He wants us to be hopeful and eager - even if the answer is delayed for twenty years! Why such a delay? Only God knows."

Lord, Jesus, as You increase my devotion to prayer. I thank you that You hear my voice even before I speak. Help me to trust You, as I wait for Your reply. Give me an expectant heart as I wait eagerly for Your answer. Help me to watchful and thankful as I wait just as it says in Psalm 5:3 - In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

I find it no coincidence this morning that the song playing in my head is "Give Me Jesus," by Fernando Ortega. As I searched on youtube.com for the song, there is a tribute to Ruth Graham with this song. A tribute to a woman of God, a woman of faith, a woman of prayer. Thank you Lord, for her example on this earth.

Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.