Today’s post comes from Jan Cox from Under the Cover of Prayer. We know we need to pray. The Bible tells us to pray consistently for others, ourselves, the world, and God’s saving message, but coupled with the sovereignty of God, the act of prayer can become confusing. If God is in control, do our prayers really matter? Can we pray about anything, anytime, or are some prayers more righteous than others? How do we know when we get a yes, no, or not yet? Will a giant billboard fall from the sky? Today Jan raises numerous questions for us to ponder, then discusses one in greater detail. After you read her thoughts on prayer, share yours with us.
God Can Hear Our Prayers
How can we know that God can hear our prayers?
How can we know that God wants to hear our prayers?
How can we know that God can act on our prayers?
I have been mulling around these questions.
Question one:
How can we know that God can hear our prayers?
Besides the fact that I just know He does, through my faith – I have come up with several reasons from Scripture why we can know for sure that He does hear our prayers.
1. The belief in the all-encompassing POWER of our God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I love this passage in Colossians:
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-17 NIV).
Don’t you just love the phrase – By Him All things were created, and in Him all things hold together? That certainly solidifies it for me. There is POWER here.
2. The majesty and immensity of our God of creation. After watching the video by Louie Giglio I held my breath.
“This is what God the LORD says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it” (Isaiah 42:5).
Louie’s video shows the universe – to the ends of the universe and what we see when we get to the last picture – is outstanding, gluing all things together for me. God does HOLD ALL things together. We go to the ends of the universe and the Hubble telescope show us – a Cross.
Another video by Louie Giglio (for a quick check go 2:50 minutes in) talks about a cell adhesion molecule called Laminin.
Here is a diagram of the Laminin molecule.
Laminin is vital to making sure overall body structures hold together.
And it is in the shape of a Cross.
Christ does hold ALL things together.
These are two very important reasons why our God can:
- Wake me up during my night’s sleep whenever He chooses to call me to prayer, or to rethink my past day.
- Put people and incidents in my daily path – God-incidents.
- Make miracles happen.
His power is one reason why my prayers are important.
He can call me to pray; He can hear me when I pray; He can answer my prayers.
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Jan, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She also writes at A Better Way. Jan has written a children’s book in which she is also the watercolour illustrator. She hopes to publish it this year.