When you and I pray, do we believe that God hears us, or is there a tiny whisper of doubt? Do you believe He answers us when we call? Psalm 34:17-18 says, “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”
Here is an example: In Isaiah 38:4–5, the prophet tells Hezekiah, “Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: ‘I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years.’” God heard, and God answered Hezekiah the moment he cried out to the LORD.
In the Bible, we see that God answers the prayers of many and is still answering the prayers of His people today. We may not feel like Moses, Daniel, or Elijah, but God hears us the same way He heard and responded to them. Yes, God hears you and me when we pray, just like He did for those we would call the heroes of the faith.
James writes, “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” (James 5:17-18) God answered a man who was just like us. So when you pray, know that God hears you.
I am fond of Psalm 50:15, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” We often miss an aspect of personal worship for answered prayer in our busy world today. But what is the first thing we need to do if we want to see God answer our prayers? We need to pray. Take time to talk to God this week, for He wants to hear from His children.
The psalmist writes, “I love the Lord because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.” (Psalm 116:1–2)