Does God Hear My Prayers?
“Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never give up.”
Luke 18:1
Do you ever feel like God doesn’t hear your prayers? Friend, I’m here to tell you today that God does hear your prayers. He is not only listening to your spoken prayers, but He is also listening to the unspoken prayers of your heart! (See Psalm 37:4, Romans 8:26). He knows more about you than even you know about you, and…He answers all of your prayers! He doesn’t ignore a single one!
God answers our prayers in one of three ways:
1. Yes.
2. Yes, but wait, I’m still using this.
3. No. I’ve got a better overall plan for my Kingdom.
I know it feels like your repeated prayers fall on deaf ears, but they do not. I understand that sometimes you just want to give up and stop praying completely, but don’t! Your prayers are not only heard by God, but they are felt by Him too (see Psalm 34:18, Hebrews 2:17-18). He is your loving Heavenly Father, and He only wants the best for all of His children (see Matthew 7:9-11).
In the book of Luke, chapter 18, Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them they should always pray and never give up. The story was about a widow who kept coming to an unjust judge for help. Even though he kept turning her away, she simply would not stop pestering him. The judge, however, was very arrogant and crooked. Jesus said that he “neither feared God, nor cared about men” (Luke 18:2), both are terrible qualities for any person in office to have.
This dirty and corrupt man kept overlooking the pleas of this woman. Her heartfelt cries fell flat due to the selfish power of this obstinate man who couldn’t care less about her or her problems. However, because she would not stop persistently asking him for help, the judge finally said, “I will see that she gets justice so that she won’t eventually wear me out!” (See Luke 18:5).
Jesus then explains to His disciples, “And will not God (who is loving and just) bring about justice for his chosen ones, those who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?” The answer is no. “He will see that they get justice…” (see Luke 18:7-8, my note added).
Jesus makes it clear that there is something much more important than having every single prayer answered exactly how we want it: “You will get justice and quickly, however, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (see Luke 18:8, my emphasis added).
Will He find faith on earth?…Will He find faith on earth?! Will He?! Or will we be like a nest full of baby birds with our mouths wide open, eyes closed, saying, “Gimme, gimme, gimme!”?
Why are we so focused on ourselves?! This life isn’t just about us! It took me over 30 years to figure this out, and yes God wants to answer our prayers how we want, but He is much more interested in getting us from being spiritually dead to spiritually alive! And then He wants us to realize we are spiritually perfect for good! He is not our genie-in-a-bottle! He’s our Dad! Good dads don’t just give their kids anything and everything! Good dads say, “No,” sometimes. Good dads say, “Wait.” Good dads think about their kid’s future, and they think about their other kids too!
Friend, we must allow the attitude of Christ to come out of us (see Philippians 2:5). It’s there, we just have to get it out (see Philippians 2:12). There is no law in prayer, but we should be praying prayers which have the aura of this: “God, you’ve heard me pray this a thousand times, and I still want it, but if you never give me what I’m asking for, I trust you. I know that you know what’s best for me and others. So continue to do as you see fit, and help me to live out my spiritual perfection in this process of trusting you deeper. I love you, and I’m available to you.”
There is no such thing as unanswered prayers. Realizing this fact will build up an unshakable confidence in you! Understanding that your Heavenly Daddy is looking out for you at all times strengthens you! You’ll be able to enjoy your life no matter what is happening around you, and you’ll refuse to fall into self-pity! This heavenly mindset also gives you tremendous enthusiasm and unconditional love for everyone! This is the relationship God longs to have with you–one that is authentic and trusting!
So today, my friends, know this: God loves you, and He hears your prayers. He is sovereign and incapable of being incorrect. Further, He doesn’t just hear your prayers, but He’s listening closely! He lives in us and He will never go away! He is a good good Father who loves us immeasurably! So keep praying! Keep trusting! Keep being your heaven-ready self! And most of all, enjoy your life as God’s own child!
A prayer for you: Dad, I want you to know how grateful I am for you. I want you to know how much I appreciate you making me your child forever. Thank you for your commitment to me. You are the real Promise Keeper. Right now, I lift up all who are reading this, directly to you. So many of them are hurting, Lord. So many have been praying to you for a very long time and they feel like it’s not working. Speak to their hearts today and show them that their prayers ARE working. Please help these dear readers to develop a deeper relationship with you. Begin to teach them to trust you, to stand firm in your grace, and to keep praying! Teach them to ALWAYS communicate with you! In Christ’s name I pray, amen.
This devotional is from 60 Days for Jesus, Volume 1. Get your copy here!