The average believer
75% of believers say they pray. Sixty-four percent say they pray more than once a day. So, the question is, does God listen to all our prayers just because we pray? Prayer is a form of communication with God, where we speak to Him on our knees or in any position we can. Prayer, most of the time, seems to be a one-directional way of communication, where we do most of the talking. David found himself in one of those one-directional prayer moments, where he cried and cried, God would not hear him (Ps 88:1). Sometimes, God will not listen to our prayers because we choose to remain in situations that are not pleasing to him (Ps. 66:18). The Bible teaches us that God does not listen to sinners unless they pray in repentance (Jh. 9:31). The prophet Isaiah tells us that God’s ear separates from us because of our sinful behaviors (Is. 59:2).
Proverbs 28:9
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
The proverb tells us that when we choose not to listen to God’s voice through his written word, our prayers become an abomination to him. Which answers the question is, when is it God’s turn to speak to us? During prayer, God can choose to communicate with us through visions, flashbacks, or a verse. Most of the time, God uses his written word, the Bible, to communicate with us. So, before beginning a conversation with God, open your Bible and allow God to speak to you first. Prayer and supplications are the ways we can let God know about our needs (Ph 4:6). Habakkuk, the prophet, before he engaged in his famous prayer, says that he first heard what God had to say (Hab 3:1-2). Listening to God was the prophet’s main concern, even though his prayer was for revival. A steadfast prayer not regarding how people see you is essential.
Job understood that it is not what people think of you that is important, but what God thinks (Job 12:4). People need to know that God hears my prayers when I pray and that they don’t go up in smoke. And they see this when we ask for things in prayer, God gives it to us (1 Jh 5:14-15). David called unto God, insisting that he hears him when he calls (Ps 27:7).
Psalms 88:1
O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:
Psalms 66:18
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
John 9:31
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Isaiah 59:2
2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Philippians 4:6
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Habakkuk 3:1-2
A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.2 O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
Job 12:4
I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.
1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Psalms 27:7
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.