There is a period between when you plant a seed and when it matures into a fruitful tree. This period is known as the gestation period. It is different for different kinds plants, depending on the uniqueness of each plant.

Prayer is like that.

There is a period between when you pray and when you receive answers to your prayers.

This period is different depending on the kind of prayer, the kind of person praying, their circumstances, and so on.

Now, just like with plants, there are different kinds of prayers, and there are different kinds of people praying under different kinds of circumstances.

Again, like plants, some prayers have longer gestation periods than others—that is, they take longer than others.

The gestation period of some prayers may even span generations!

And the longer the manifestation takes, the easier it is to throw away your faith and give up praying. Which is exactly what many do. And which you should never do.

I don’t know the gestation period of your prayers. Nobody knows but the Lord.

But I know it would be foolish to throw away your faith; to quit praying just because you’ve been praying for a ‘long’ time without seeing results.

Instead understand the following:

1. Each prayer is like a seed. It has its own gestation period. Could be instant, could take hours, days, or even years. Which is why you have need for patience in prayer.
2. Most times, when you plant a seed, it actually starts to decay. Similarly, most time after you pray, things may appear to start getting worse. So, never judge the efficacy of your prayers by what you see around you. Instead, trust in the Lord with all your heart.

In any case, after praying, and as you continue to pray with expectations, also pray with thanksgiving.

Philippians 4:6 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

That is, rephrase your prayer as a thanksgiving. Begin to thank God as though you already have the answers.

Thanksgiving is a prayer booster! It possesses the power to shorten the gestation period of any prayer.

So, why not put this into practice right away. Take your most pressing prayer request, rephrase it as a thanksgiving, and share it with us in the comment.