God ListensNäide

Your every word is heard

“So, Mike, why do you stink at prayer?” the radio hosts asked. We discussed a book I co-wrote with Pastor Mark Jeske, whose intro began with my confession, “I stink at prayer.” I meant those words. I do pray. I just don’t pray as much as I’d like to.

Do you feel great about your prayer life? One of the hardest things about conversations with God is that prayer seems disconnected from life. Sometimes you pray about your health for years, but nothing changes. Sometimes you barely pray at all, and everything changes. Going to church often gives you a boost of wisdom, and listening to worship music can instantly lift your spirits, but prayer rarely has that immediate impact.

Maybe that’s why God sent an angel to speak this good news to Zechariah, the soon-to-be father of John the Baptist: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard” (Luke 1:13). That last phrase jumped off the page at me. The angel didn’t say that “some people’s prayers are heard” or that “your prayer might be heard if God can find the time.” No! “Your prayer”—the specific thing Zechariah personally prayed about—“has been heard.” It reached God’s ears and heart the moment he prayed it.

That’s good news for people who stink at prayer. When you pray in Jesus’ name, every word is heard. Don’t be afraid your prayer isn’t working. It is—every single time. Pray today because one day, you’ll see that God was listening to your every word.