Prayer is the hallmark of a Christian. We communicate with God through prayer. Prayer solidifies our relationship with Him. We take our problems, needs, questions, and plans to God in prayer.

And then, we wait.

We wait for answers, for deliverance, for guidance, and maybe even for proof that God is listening. Sometimes, the wait is not more than an instant, a day, or a week. Other times, we wait longer, or even indefinitely. As long as there is prayer, there is waiting.

The subtitle of Xochitl Dixon’s book, “Waiting for God”, gives away the key to a thriving Christian life: Trusting Daily in God’s Plan and Pace. But trusting in God’s pace is easier said than done when pain never seems to leave. Believing in God’s plan is difficult when the status quo remains the same.

When will healing and help come? When prayers seem to disappear into a black hole, how can we hold on to our faith? How can we trust in the unseen?

“Waiting for God” addresses these questions and more. It is a guidebook on how to wait on the Lord. But it’s not one of those books that gives step-by-step instructions on what to do. There are no checklists or tips. Nor is it the kind of book that promises you miracles in exchange for unwavering faith.

Instead, the pages of this book are filled with stories and anecdotes that inspire readers to trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness. While most of the stories are about the author’s own struggles with chronic pain, the devotional also contains powerful examples of how people from all walks of life have experienced God’s miraculous comfort and help in the midst of their suffering.

This book is dotted with ponder-worthy sayings like these:

“The Lord takes His time, not to punish us but to prepare us for His bigger-than-our-lives and ever-prevailing plans. He won’t require us to wait one more second more than we need.”

“Though He won’t always quiet our storms, Jesus will always quiet our hearts while He remains close and in control.”

“Even the weariest heart can be refreshed while waiting for God by living each day in the limitless power of the One True God…Joy and peace don’t depend on circumstances when a soul is nourished by the transforming power of the Maker and Sustainer of all.”

“Our loving Father doesn’t always take us out of difficult situations, but He will not leave us without protection, provisions, and the comfort of knowing He’s right there with us.”

“Faith empowers us to wait with expectation in this moment. As we remain focused on God in the present, we can walk and wait without fretting over what we don’t have, what we don’t see, and what we don’t understand.”

Personally, the devotionals in this book were like manna to my soul. I have been going through a spiritually dry season. This book helped me refocus my vision, urging me to set my sights on Jesus, regardless of circumstances or emotional ups and downs. The author’s style is gentle and comforting. Her writing felt as if I had a friend whispering words of encouragement in my ear.

With in-depth studies of biblical characters, Scripture-infused prayers, and application questions, “Waiting for God” is a 31-day devotional which renews our perspective on not just waiting, but also on praying. How we pray influences our attitude while we wait, and how we wait, in turn, affects our prayers.

Buy this book if you’re hungry for a deeper walk with God or if you find yourself struggling as you wait for answers to your prayers. “Waiting for God” can also be given as gifts to your friends.

If you’re not convinced to buy the book, and have questions about it, feel free to ask for my email address in the comments. You can also visit the author’s website to know more about her.

(Disclosure – I was sent a free copy of the book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review of the book.)