Does God Hear Our Prayers?

The Bible confidently affirms that God hears and answers prayer.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

“The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 4:16).

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us” (1 John 5:14).

I am convinced that there is power in prayer.

But I’m also convinced that many of us use it like we use the spare tire in the trunk of our car, just in cases of emergency. It should not be that way. Prayer ought to be the pulsation of the Christian faith. It should be an expression of reverence, gratitude, and the felt presence of God. Our God is not a distant God, but an ever present Father who not only hears, but also answers the prayers of His children.

I am also convinced that many of us view prayer much the way a six year old looks at his Christmas wish list.

“Dear Santa, I’ve been a good boy. Please give me a new baseball glove, a computer, a wagon, et cetera.” Wise parents never give their children everything they want, but they do seek to provide all that is needed. There’s an old Chinese proverb which says, “Give a boy and a hog all that they want and you will have a very good hog and a very bad boy.” As youngsters, what we think we need, and what we actually need, are not the same. I suspect that it is no different as adults.

I have no doubt God hears and answers our prayers. But, His answer is not always the one we seek.

Paul prayed three times that God would remove his “thorn in the flesh.” God’s answer to Paul was “No!” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). On another occasion, Paul made four separate requests to the Father (Romans 15:30-33). When we examine what Paul sought, and how God responded, we find God saying to Paul, “No, wait a while, yes, and yes, but my way not yours.” Too often, when we don’t get what we want we think that God has not answered. It may be that He is telling us no, or not yet, or yes, but my way not yours. Remember, God knows best!

As Christians, we must keep on praying, and trust God to give the answer which is best for us!