Psalms 18:6-7

6 I called to Yahveh in my distress, and I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. 7 Then the earth shook and quaked; the foundations of the mountains trembled; they shook because he burned with anger.

The psalmist describes the Lord’s reaction to his prayer as a violent earthquake. He does not say how long the period was between his prayer and God’s reaction. Perhaps we can be more patient if we realize how much pressure has to build before a seismic eruption happens.