Podcast Summary: The Reason God Hasn’t Answered Your Prayer Yet

Podcast: The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
Host: Ascension
Episode Date: December 4, 2025
Guest: Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz dives into the question of why prayers sometimes seem to go unanswered or delayed. Using a timely analogy about punctuality, he offers insight into the perfection of God’s timing compared to human expectations, emphasizing faith and trust even during the waiting periods.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Analogy of Timeliness

• Fr. Mike opens with a humorous and relatable rant about common sayings regarding time, especially the maxim: "Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable."
• He refutes this, explaining that "early is early, on time is on time, and late is late" ([00:26]).
  • Example: He notes, you wouldn’t want a movie or Mass to start early, disrupting everyone's expectations ([01:11]).
• Memorable moment: Fr. Mike shares his discomfort when people arrive early for meetings, highlighting the importance of respecting agreed times ([01:38]).

  “Early is not on time. On time is on time. We're meeting at 2. Let's meet at 2.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz ([01:47])

2. Bridging to God’s Timing

• Fr. Mike connects the analogy to a deeper spiritual reflection:

  “When we're talking about God's timing. Early is not on time. On time is on time. And God is never late.” ([02:02])

• He contemplates common doubts people have about God responding to prayers – the anxious suspicion that God might be “late” in delivering help ([02:20]).

  “God is never late. He is never, ever late. It's never like he should have acted but didn't.” ([02:32])

• Fr. Mike acknowledges his personal prayers:
  • For years, he’s pleaded with God for answers and explains the anxiety about God potentially not coming through on time ([02:40]–[02:57]).

3. God Is Neither Early nor Late—But Always On Time

• Fr. Mike challenges the listener to realize:

  "God is also never early... God is always on time.” ([03:33])

• This perfection in timing means that God knows precisely when to answer, aligning not just with the situation but also with the readiness of the heart ([03:37]).

  “Your timing is going to be perfect and perfectly matched up with my own heart, as well as the situation and circumstances.” ([03:46])

• Personal anecdote:
  • He recounts nearly ten years of praying for his vocation and longing for clarity ([03:52]).
  • When God finally provided the answer, it perfectly matched the moment, and any sooner, Fr. Mike admits, “I don’t think I would have been ready. I think I would have said yes… but it would have felt like trying to cram a round peg in a square hole because my heart hadn’t been ready.” ([04:13])
  • God’s timing ensured his heart was prepared to truly accept the call ([04:34]).

4. Encouragement to Listeners

• Fr. Mike ends by inviting listeners to place their trust in God’s timing for whatever they’re longing, hoping, or praying for:

  “What is it you’re praying for? What is it that you are waiting on God for? Just remember… with God, early is not on time. He is never late. But God is always, always on time.” ([04:48])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On expectations of punctuality:

  “Early is not on time. On time is on time, and late is late.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz ([00:26])

• On God’s perfect timing:

  “God is never late. He is never, ever late. It's never like he should have acted but didn't.” ([02:32])

  “God is also never early, that God is always on time.” ([03:33])

• Personal struggle with discernment:

  “For 10 years I thought I was ready. But God waited and worked with me so that when it was time, when it was the right time, I was ready.” ([04:24])

Highlighted Timestamps

• 00:26 – 01:47: Rant about punctuality, the meaning of being early/on time/late, humorous takes
• 02:02 – 02:32: Connecting punctuality to God’s never-late nature
• 03:33 – 03:46: God’s timing is always on time—never early or late
• 03:52 – 04:34: Personal story about waiting and discernment
• 04:48: Final encouragement and take-home message

Conclusion

Fr. Mike’s message is clear, comforting, and delivered with authenticity and humor. He urges listeners not to mistake delayed answers from God as negligence but to recognize that God’s timing is meticulously aligned with their own growth, readiness, and circumstances. The episode leaves listeners with the assurance that, although God may seem silent or delayed, He is always perfectly on time.