Does God Really Hear Your Prayers?
God is willing to hear and answer our prayers, and we can overcome our doubts and fears in prayer by trusting in His character and desire to help us.
David Wilkerson addresses the crucial question of whether God truly hears our prayers and is willing to answer them. He emphasizes that while many Christians affirm their belief in God's responsiveness, doubts often linger, especially during times of perceived silence from God. Using the parable of the persistent widow, Wilkerson illustrates the importance of tenacity in prayer, highlighting that if an unjust judge can be moved to action, how much more will a loving God respond to His children. He reassures believers that God is always good and has prepared blessings for those who trust Him, encouraging them to rejoice in their relationship with God.
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Any believer who wishes to please God with his prayer life must first settle this question: "Does God really hear my prayers and will he answer?" While this appears to be a simple question -- one that shouldn't even need to be asked -- most Christians would immediately answer, "Yes, of course I believe God answers my prayers." But the simple fact is, many are not fully convinced.
There are times when we feel that God is absent from our lives, that he is not listening to our cries. Questions and doubts exist deep within us and the Lord wants to settle them in our spirit. In Luke 18:2-8, Jesus spoke a parable about the persistent widow and the unjust judge to teach his disciples "that men always ought to pray and not lose heart" (18:1).
In the Jewish community, a judge was expected to be impartial, but the judge in this story was incompetent and unqualified for the job. Justice definitely was not being served. According to Jewish law, widows deserve special protection under the justice system, but this judge ignored the widow who came to him. Nevertheless, she refused to give up and came before him so often that he lost patience with her and granted her request.
This widow got the justice she was seeking because of her tenacity! Jesus explains in verse 8 that if an unfit, ungodly judge answers with justice in the end, how much more will our loving, holy Father give what is right to his children?
Many Christians know that God has all they need, and they admit he cares, but they are not convinced he is willing to come quickly to help them. When God does not answer their cry right away, they imagine hindrances and inner blockages in themselves. And they think of all kinds of reasons the Lord must not be willing to come to their aid.
"Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You" (Psalm 31:19). Be assured that God has given you all you need to be free and victorious. Rejoice in the Lord for you are a delight to his soul. Hallelujah!
Sermon Outline
- God's willingness to hear and answer prayers
- God's character and our relationship with Him
- Overcoming doubts and fears in prayer
- The parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:2-8)
- The judge's incompetence and the widow's persistence
- God's loving and holy nature
- Our role as God's children and His willingness to help us
- Recognizing God's goodness and provision
- Trusting in God's character and His desire to help us
Key Quotes
“Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You” — David Wilkerson
“Be assured that God has given you all you need to be free and victorious” — David Wilkerson
“Rejoice in the Lord for you are a delight to his soul” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Recognize God's goodness and provision in your life and trust in His character and desire to help you.
- Pray persistently and don't lose heart, knowing that God is willing to hear and answer your prayers.
- Overcome your doubts and fears in prayer by trusting in God's loving and holy nature.