In Colossians 4 Paul gives instruction on prayer. He says
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2 ESV).
One of the necessary factors in continuing to pray is faith. Faith that God hears me and wants to listen. King David expresses this faith in Psalms 6 when he says
“O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch” (Psalms 5:3 ESV).
David believes that God listens to him when he prays. He also directly asks God to listen when he says
“Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray” (Psalms 5:2 ESV).
I, likewise, need to believe that God is listening to my prayers. It’s helpful for me to remember the times that he has answered, and to remind myself that he often answers in unexpected ways. Just because I don’t have an answer yet, or haven’t recognized one, doesn’t mean he’s not listening, and even if I don’t get an answer that I want, I know that it is all part of his plan. David says
“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice” (Psalms 5:11 ESV).
I have good reason to rejoice, I can take refuge in God through his son Jesus, and because of Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross I know with certainty that God is always listening.
Dear God, thank you for all that you have given me, please help me to remember that you are listening when I cry out to you. Thank you that I can take refuge in you. In Jesus’s holy name I pray. Amen
Asher (AsherB)
Sixty-six books in a year 