25 Scriptures and Prayers to Overcome Delay

Ojone Pitas
Jul 19
4 min read

Delay is one of the most frustrating and discouraging seasons a believer can face. Whether you’re waiting on healing, provision, marriage, or purpose, delay can feel like a silent battle. But the Word of God is full of truth, encouragement, and power to strengthen you during the wait. This post will guide you through 25 powerful scriptures on delay, each paired with a short prayer to help you stay grounded in faith and hope.

1. Habakkuk 2:3

"For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry."

Prayer: Lord, help me trust in Your perfect timing. Even when I can't see movement, remind me that your promises never fail. And give me the patience to wait for the promise.

2. Ecclesiastes 3:11

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts..."

Prayer: Father, I believe You will make my situation beautiful in Your time. Strengthen my heart to wait with patience and faith.

3. Isaiah 40:31

"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles..."

Prayer: Lord, renew my strength while I wait. Help me soar above discouragement and trust in You.

4. Psalm 27:14

"Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!"

Prayer: Give me courage, Lord, as I wait. Strengthen my heart so that I do not grow weary or lose faith.

5. Romans 8:25

"But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance."

Prayer: Teach me perseverance, Lord. Help me wait with eager expectation, not anxiety.

6. James 5:7

"Therefore, be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth..."

Prayer: Father, help me wait like the farmer, knowing that the harvest will surely come.

7. Proverbs 13:12

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life."

Prayer: Heal my heart, Lord, from the pain of delay. Revive my hope and remind me that joy will come.

8. Lamentations 3:25–26

"The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly..."

Prayer: God, help me wait quietly and trust that Your goodness will meet me in due time.

9. Psalm 37:7

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him..."

Prayer: Teach me to rest in You, Lord, and not strive in my own strength while I wait.

10. Galatians 6:9

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

Prayer: Strengthen me to keep doing good. Help me not to lose heart during the waiting season.

11. Isaiah 30:18

"Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you..."

Prayer: Lord, I trust that even Your waiting is full of grace. Help me see the purpose in the delay.

12. Psalm 130:5

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope."

Prayer: Fill my soul with hope in Your Word, Lord. Let my waiting draw me closer to You.

13. Hebrews 10:36

"For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise."

Prayer: Give me endurance, Lord. Help me stay faithful so I can receive Your promises.

14. Psalm 145:15

"The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season."

Prayer: Father, I look to You expectantly. Provide for me in the perfect season.

15. Micah 7:7

"Therefore, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me."

Prayer: I trust You, Lord. I know You hear me, even when answers feel delayed.

16. Romans 12:12

"Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer."

Prayer: Help me stay joyful in hope, patient in trouble, and persistent in prayer, Lord.

17. Psalm 25:3

"Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed..."

Prayer: Lord, I know I won’t be ashamed for trusting You. Let my faith shine even in the delay.

18. Isaiah 49:23

"Those who wait for Me shall not be ashamed."

Prayer: Thank You, God, that waiting on You is never wasted. Let my heart rest in that promise.

19. Psalm 84:11

"No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly."

Prayer: I believe You will not withhold any good thing from me, Lord. Help me walk uprightly as I wait.

20. Exodus 14:14

"The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."

Prayer: Fight for me, Lord. I choose to rest and hold my peace in the waiting.

21. 2 Peter 3:9

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise..."

Prayer: Thank You, God, that You’re never late. Help me trust in the timing of Your perfect plan.

22. John 11:6

"So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was."

Prayer: Lord, even when it feels like You delay, I trust that it’s for a greater glory, just like Lazarus.

23. Psalm 62:5

"My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him."

Prayer: Let my expectation be in You alone, Lord, not in people or circumstances.

24. 1 Samuel 13:13

"You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God..."

Prayer: Help me not rush ahead of You like Saul. Let me obey You fully and wait with trust.

25. Luke 18:7

"And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?"

Prayer: Lord, I believe You will act swiftly on my behalf. Teach me to cry out day and night in faith.

Final Encouragement:

Delay is not denial. When God seems silent, He is often working behind the scenes. Use this time to draw closer to Him, refine your faith, and prepare for what He’s bringing. He is faithful, and your due season is coming.