God always hears our prayers
July 9th, 2023 – Communion Meditation
Late last year we sent a package to someone who had given us a new address in another state. The person did not tell let us know whether or not they had received the package. We forgot about it and assumed that our package had arrived at its destination. But our assumption turned out to be wrong when the package appeared in our mailbox again a full six months later, with a sticker over the address that read “Attempted – Not Known.”
This week my aunt told me she recently mailed a letter to her friend in another country but didn’t realize the postage rate had recently gone up. The postal service returned her letter to her, with a sticker over the address that read “Returned for Additional Postage.”
Sometimes we pray for someone or something for a really long time, and it seems like nothing happens. Maybe we wonder in our heart of hearts if God even heard our prayers. Maybe we initially assumed that our prayers were heard but then later doubted because the situation remained seemingly unchanged. Maybe we wonder if our prayers were powerful or effective enough. Maybe it feels sometimes like our prayers are “returned to sender” for one reason or another.
The reality is that whether our prayers are heard or whether they are powerful or effective does not depend on who we are or what we’ve done. Thankfully, all of this depends on God – who God is and what God is like. And God is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Listen to and receive encouragement from a few of God’s precious promises to us in Scripture.
Psalm 66:19 (NRSV) – “Truly God has listened; he has heard the words of my prayer.”
Jeremiah 29:12 (NRSV) – “When you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.”
Matthew 6:6 (NRSV) – “Whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Luke 18:1 (NRSV) – “Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.”
Lord Jesus, will you please help us to pray always and not lose heart? Help us to lean on your faithfulness, your goodness, your power, and your grace. You truly listen to our hearts, you see us, and you always hear our prayers. Please forgive us for the times when we have trusted in our own strength, our own senses, or our own assessment of situations. We put our trust in you – Father God, Christ Jesus, Holy Spirit. Help us to trust you more. Thank you for your steadfast love which endures forever.
Matthew 26:26-28 – “While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
