Have you ever prayed for something so long that you stopped expecting the answer? In this powerful Advent message, Pastor Stephen Mizell explores the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth—a faithful couple who waited 40 years for a child while continuing to serve God in the temple.

Through their story found in Luke 1, discover a profound truth: God's silence isn't His absence. Sometimes heaven's delays aren't denials—God is preparing something bigger than what you're praying for.

In This Episode:

• Why biblical hope is different from wishful thinking—it's confident expectation based on God's character
• How Zechariah and Elizabeth's obedience positioned them for a miracle they'd stopped expecting
• The difference between faith that believes God "can" versus faith that serves Him even when He "doesn't"
• Why both Zechariah and Mary asked "how?" but received different responses from the angel
• What it means to "keep lighting the incense"—staying faithful in service while waiting for answers
• How God sometimes closes our mouth so He can open our understanding

Pastor Stephen challenges us with this question: What do you do when your prayers seem unanswered? The answer may surprise you—it's not to stop praying or stop serving, but to continue faithfully because hope is forged in consistency, not excitement.

This message kicks off Open Door Church's Advent series, preparing hearts for 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting beginning January 4th.

Key Quote: "Sometimes the most righteous people carry the heaviest crosses. Faith is not just believing God can—it's continuing to serve Him when He doesn't answer the way you expect."

Scripture Focus: Luke 1:5-25