“Sometimes God heals us in a single prayer, but ordinarily it requires a gradual series of prayers, combined with the human advice, love and wisdom of friends, and the spiritual director we all need to mature into the full measure of our life in Christ.” (Francis MacNutt)
“All that we have comes down from the Father of Lights. We should not become impatient, wanting more than we are ready to receive, for the Lord knows what is best for us. He measures His giving, according to our need, sometimes delaying the things we’ve asked for.” (Abbot Tryphon)
“When you reach the verge of despair while praying and seeking, then the fulfillment of your request is near. Christ wants to heal some hidden passion within you, and this is why He delayed granting your request If you obtain it sooner, when you demand it, your passion remains uncured within you. If you wait, you obtain your request and the cure of the passion. And then you rejoice exceedingly and give warm thanks to God, Who arranges all things in wisdom and does everything for our benefit. So then, there is no point in losing heart, getting upset, complaining. You must close your mouth…Burn the devil with your patience and forbearance.” (St. Joseph the Hesychast)
“Christ's healing of the multitudes here [Matthew 15:29-31] shows that these Jews actually had less faith than the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21–28). Christ healed the woman “with much delay, but these immediately, because she is more faithful than they. He delays with her to reveal her perseverance, while here He bestows the gift immediately to stop the mouths of the unbelieving Jews” (Orthodox Study Bible, Matthew 15:29-31, St. John Chrysostom).
“According to St. John Chrysostom, Jesus singled out the man who had waited for thirty-eight years in order to teach us to have perseverance, and as a judgment against those who lose hope or patience in much lesser troubles lasting a far shorter time.” (Orthodox Study Bible, John 5:5)