Have you ever felt that God has given you the silent treatment or “turned a deaf ear” to you? Have you ever prayed for something but felt that God wasn’t listening?
The Bible tells us that He hears our prayers, and scholars such as Billy Graham and Charles Stanley remind us that God typically has three ways of answering our prayers – “Yes,” “No,” and “Wait.”
Here’s how you can know that God does hear our prayers even if He doesn’t seem to immediately answer them.
1. He hears us because our Faith tells us that God is real and He is able to do that which we ask of Him.
We know that our God is the same God who took Abraham and the Israelites through the wilderness, fed them manna from Heaven, and parted the Red Sea as they fled from the Egyptians.
If God will do those things for the Israelites, what WILL He do for us, His faithful children?
One thing we must remember – God’s omnipotence allows Him to see our future. He knows what is truly best for us. We may feel that He doesn’t answer a prayer because we don’t get exactly what we prayed for – perhaps a new job, a different home, or even some relationship.
However, Our Father knows what is best for us. Often, when we don’t get the exact things we pray for, God sends something even better! That job you thought you wanted so desperately but didn’t land?
God will provide you with one that is better. The same can be said about the house you prayed for or that relationship that didn’t work out – Our Father knows what is best for us. Sometimes His answer is “Just Wait.”
2. He hears our prayers because we humble ourselves before Him.
“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).
You know what is so great about the way Our Father answers prayers? His infinite love for us allows us to come to Him just as we are. All that is required of us is the humble faith of a child. When we truly open ourselves up to the Lord and ask His will to guide us, Our Father will listen to our pleas.
3. The Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf.
The Bible tells us we have someone in our corner when it comes to prayer, and that is the Holy Spirit. We can know that the Lord hears our prayers because of the promise of the intercession of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a part of our Heavenly Family, and the Spirit is our advocate.
Prayer should be a part of our daily life. This conversation with the Lord keeps us close to Him, and we can find peace in prayer. Unsure about how to pray? Here’s a good prayer for starting a conversation with our Heavenly Father.
Pray This Prayer:
Dear Father,
We come before you with an humble heart. We ask that you forgive us of our mistakes. We ask that You would guide our steps as we go through the world. We love you, Father. Thank You for Your blessings.
Amen