Does God Hear Me?

This week, we've explored how the privilege of prayer is greater than merely our requests of the Father. These asks are important, and He wants to hear them, but prayer is also an opportunity to step into communion with His presence, dependability, and trustworthiness. Today, we look at how submitting these requests in alignment with God’s will reshapes our perception and awareness of God’s broader plan for us.

Heavenly Father, guide us in today’s truth. Encourage our prayers to rest on Your reliability and trustworthiness. Give us perspective of how our prayer life aligns with Your will. Remind us of prayers’ privilege to draw confidently into your presence. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

1 John 5:14-15 (NLT)
14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.


I had my first “big-boy” job interview during my junior year of college. I had hopes of landing an internship that would promote marketability for full-time employment. After the interview I called my girlfriend, and now wife, to report how I had aced it! She listened, congratulated my responses…then said, “So what questions did you ask?” I responded, “Well, I didn’t have any.” She kindly responded, “You ALWAYS ask questions during an interview.” She was so right, and I was deflated. That job offer never came.

When I stop to consider my prayer life, it looks awfully similar at times. In hopes of getting everything my heart desires there are moments I treat God like my genie in a bottle. It wasn’t until I learned of Jesus’s prayer in the garden, “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42) that I realized God doesn’t have to give me what my heart desires.  

In the job interview I focused so much on my needs, that I never stopped to consider the employer’s need. I don’t want to treat God this way. I want to honor His will above my desires, and if He can align my desires with His will then even better. Take a moment to reflect on the following questions in relation to your current prayers:    
                     
What if God’s will is better than this request?

What if God’s will is better timing for this request?

What if God’s timing better strengthens my ______ as I wait for this request?

Friends, the truth is God hears all our requests. When we submit these requests in alignment to His will it reshapes our cognition of the ask. We shift from self-focus to a deeper understanding of Gods purposes. We shift from our wants to Gods wants. We shift from our timing and wisdom to understanding His. This alignment leads to prayers that become less about obtaining specific outcomes and more about cultivating a trusting relationship with God.

As we wrap up today’s devotional, talk to God on your own. Use the following prompt to close out your prayer.

God, faithfully hear this request according to Your will…

May the God who hears our requests give you assurance today.