DOES GOD HEAR MY PRAYERS?
February 05, 2020
It is no light matter. Many people feel that God pays no attention to their prayers. If so, why pray? But the Biblical and historical record of millions would prove otherwise.
IN EGYPT
... the Israelites "sighed because of the bondage and they cried out and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God" (Exodus 2:23). They prayed, and their prayer was real and desperate.
GOD'S RESPONSE
... was real. At a burning bush, God called a man to be a deliverer to them. A reluctant leader named Moses. God begins His dialogue with Moses by assuring him that He hears and answers prayer.
7 The Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings.
8 “So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.
9 “Now, behold, the cry of the sons of Israel has come to Me; furthermore, I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians are oppressing them.
Notice the progression that happened in prayer. Whether the Israelites realized it or not, God tells them what has been going on in heaven as they have prayed.
- I have SEEN. (I see the whole situation you’re praying about and I see perfectly. I see things you cannot see.)
- I have GIVEN HEED to their cry. (Not only have I seen your situation, but I am paying special attention to what is going on. It has my full attention.)
- I am AWARE of their sufferings. (I feel and understand the depth of your suffering and why you are now crying out to me.)
- I have COME DOWN to deliver them. (I am going to personally come to you to save you from this situation. I am going to be with you which will be your greatest help.)
- and to BRING THEM UP ... to a good and spacious land. (My deliverance is not merely going to bring you from your suffering, but take you to something better.)
This is God. He hears, He listens, He is aware, He responds to those who call upon Him. The reason this account is here is to remind you of who God is—to build your faith to believe that the God who heard and answered the Israelite’s cries will hear and answer yours. He's done it for millions, and He will hear your cry right now.
Father, thank You for being a prayer hearing and prayer answering God. Thank You that I am not shouting into the wind as I pray, but connecting with the God who changes everything. Thank You for personally coming and attending to my needs and for inviting me to come again and again, even for my ”daily bread.” Lord, give me grace to keep praying and believing. To trust You so much that I live each day with unceasing prayer.
Also in Graceful Truth
April 23, 2024
I have three pastors that I have met with every year for an accountability retreat. It is one of the highlights of my year and other than my family, these brothers are my richest relational treasure. We talk every week, and our lives now are intricately intertwined. We will ride into the sunset together, by the grace of God.
Continue Reading
April 22, 2024
David had seen, experienced, and remembered God in ways that most do not. He had intentionally gazed at God and recorded what he saw. In that light, look at his admonition to you this morning ...
Continue Reading
April 18, 2024
Psalm 107 calls us to “consider the lovingkindness of the Lord” (Vs. 43). Each paragraph illustrates God’s lovingkindness to a different group of people, always people who did not deserve it. See if these describe you right now or have in the past.
Continue Reading
