Good Afternoon:
A certain cell phone company made the title of this devotion famous by having their company rep walk around America asking “Can you hear me now?” The question was a good one, because there’s no point in paying for a cell phone plan if you can’t be heard. Instead you want the plan that covers you everywhere you’ll go.
Well what about your spiritual cell phone plan, prayer? What type of coverage do you need in order to converse with God at any moment from anywhere? Though not in 21st century terms, Jesus’ disciples also wondered what was the best way to be heard by God. He answered them in Matthew 6:7-8 “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” Jesus then goes on to give the example of the Lord’s Prayer to His disciples. The issue in Jesus day and indeed in our day as well is that people think they will be heard by God based on how they pray instead of on who they pray to. Prayer does not ascend to God because of any power, dedication, or repetition of mankind. Instead prayer is heard by God because He has the power, love, and graciousness to hear mankind’s words. He graciously gives His believers this gift of constant communication with Him. God hears all prayers spoken to Him whether they are made aloud or simply in the heart and He listens to those that are offered without pride in one’s own prayer.
But does God really hear you when at times it seems as though He’s not listening? When prayers appear to go unanswered (when in reality the prayer was answered with a “no”) many people think there is no point in praying if God isn’t appearing to answer, just like there’s no point in buying a cell plan if you can’t be heard. However, God always hears you and He always answers. He always answers with what you need right now for He always knows exactly what you need. Therefore whether God says yes or no to your prayers, you know that every time you pray He answers your prayer with the best possible answer.
In Christ, Pastor Naumann
