The Lord Listens!
Apr 04, 2023
Isaiah 59:1 (KJV)
"Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:"
As a pastor, I frequently hear individuals express difficulty and even confusion regarding the efficacy of prayer. Is God genuinely listening to their prayers, or are they making any difference in their lives? However, when we look at the Bible, we see that The Lord does hear and that prayer is powerful and essential for our spiritual growth. In Psalm 65:2 and 66:18-20, we discover encouragement and insight into the nature of prayer and its impact on our lives.
Psalms 65:2-2 (KJV)
"O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come."
Psalms 66:18-20 (KJV)
"18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]: 19 [But] verily God hath heard [me]; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. 20 Blessed [be] God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me."
Psalm 65:2 states, "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come." This verse reminds us that God is a God who hears prayer. He is not distant or uninterested but a loving Father who desires to hear from His children. God invites us to come to Him with our requests, fears, and joys, and He promises to listen and respond.
However, Psalm 66:18-20 warns us that our prayers may be hindered if we hold onto sin in our hearts. The psalmist says, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me."
Prayer is not just about making requests but also about cultivating a heart that is pure and humble before God. Unconfessed sin or a proud and selfish attitude can interrupt our relationship with Christ.
So how can we ensure that our prayers are effective?
Firstly, we must approach God with a heart of repentance, confessing our sins and requesting His forgiveness. We cannot anticipate God answering our prayers if we hold onto sin in our hearts.
Secondly, we must approach God with faith and trust in His goodness and love for us.
Hebrews 11:6-6 (KJV)
"But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
We may not always comprehend His ways, but we can be confident that He works all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).
Finally, we must persist in prayer, trusting that God hears us and will answer in His perfect timing. As we pray, we can be encouraged by the promises of God's Word. Psalm 65:2 reminds us that God hears prayer, while Psalm 66:18-20 reminds us that He responds to prayers offered with a pure and humble heart. Therefore, let us come to God with boldness and confidence, knowing that He is a God who loves us and desires to hear from us. And let us trust that He will answer our prayers in His perfect timing and accordance with His will.
I encourage you to make prayer a regular and intentional part of your daily routine. Set aside time each day to pray, and list specific requests and praises to bring before God. As you pray, be mindful of your heart posture and seek to confess any sin or pride that may be hindering your prayers. And as you trust in God's faithfulness and goodness, you will see the power and efficacy of prayer at work.
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