What was the last prayer God answered for you? Do you remember? Are you listening for His voice during and after your prayers?

He hears us when we pray. He knows His plan for us but He wants us to talk with Him about it and listen for/to His answer. (1 John 5:14) He listens carefully when we call. (Jeremiah 29:12)

We are to pray fervently and often. Set aside a specific place and time to spend in prayer. (Matthew 6:6) Put it on your calendar. Tell anyone who is near not to bother you. Take Your Bible and pray back what you are reading. Intercede for all who need praises or problems taken to God.

Our words are very important to God. If we don’t know what to say or how to say it, He still hears us. Paul, in Romans 8:26, tells us the Spirit will help us. He, the Spirit in us, takes our prayers to the Throne with ‘wordless groans’. Jesus told the disciples to be careful and thoughtful with their words. Not to just babble on and on but to focus on what they are saying and asking. (Matthew 6:7-8) Then He gave them an example of how to pray:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name,
 Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
 Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.

Matthew 6:9-13

Friends, keep praying. It matters now, perhaps more than ever. Take every thought, plan, idea, problem, desire… to God. He wants to hear you. He wants you to hear Him!

Abba, Father, hear our prayer! You know all we need before we even ask. Guide, direct, provide, and protect us now and in the days ahead.