He Will Hear
We can trust God to hear and answer our prayers, even when we're unsure of what to ask for.
Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the uncertainty we face in knowing what to pray for as we should, highlighting our limited understanding of what is truly beneficial for us and our struggles against temptations. She encourages bringing all our wishes, longings, and conscience promptings to God, trusting in His ability to discern what is best for us and to grant us according to His fatherly love. Tileston stresses the importance of surrendering to God's will in our prayers, acknowledging His wisdom and sovereignty in choosing what is ultimately best for us.
Text
We know not what we should pray for as we ought.
ROMANS 8:26 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do.
DANIEL 9:19
GRANT us not the ill
We blindly ask; in very love refuse
Whate'er Thou know'st our weakness would abuse.
JOHN KEBLE
WE know not precisely what is best for us. We know not what will make us truly happy. We know not what will help us best in our struggle against temptations. And if we were to try to make a distinction between our mere passing wishes and that which our souls really needed, we should utterly fail. But we need not try. Let us take all our wishes, all our longings, all the promptings of our consciences, to the feet of our Father. He will hear and He will do. He will hear all we say. He will know what parts of our prayer are best for us to have, and what are not. And He will give us what His fatherly love will choose. And therefore to all our prayers we will add, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
FREDERICK TEMPLE
Sermon Outline
- The Limitations of Human Knowledge
- We do not know what we should pray for
- We do not know what will make us truly happy
- We do not know what will help us best in our struggle against temptations
Key Quotes
“We know not what we should pray for as we ought.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“He will hear and He will do.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Take your wishes and longings to God in prayer, trusting that He will hear and do.
- Add 'Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven' to your prayers to trust God's plan.
- Acknowledge that God's will is always best, and trust Him to guide you in uncertain situations.