How To Pray And Be Heard

Praying is one thing and being heard is another. As we dive into the question of how we can pray and be heard, we have to look into a few biblical truths to know the answer to the question. The Bible tells us that the punishment for sin is death. Everyone has sinned, and therefore everyone has fallen short of the glory of God. That means we are all recipients of God’s wrath. In sin, we are all enemies of God and are separated from Him eternally. That is why it is not because He is deaf that God cannot hear our prayers, but because we are separated from Him due to our sin, and our prayers never reach God. 

Romans 1:18

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

Isaiah 59:1

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

How do I get closer to God?

The things we have mentioned above show us that if you are a sinner, there is no way for your prayers to reach God. You shall always be eternally separated from God as long as there is sin. God is holy, and man is not. With that, we need a Savior, someone who can bridge the gap between God and man. That someone should be perfect and sinless so that He can pay the penalty of humanity’s sins. That is where Christ comes in. No matter what good works a man can do, as long as he has sinned, he is separated from God and bound to eternal death. However, Christ was sinless. Christ lived the innocent life we should have lived and died the death we should have died. He didn’t stay dead but was resurrected on the third day, proving that He is the Son of God and has defeated death. Because of Christ’s work on the cross, God’s wrath for our sins has been satisfied. Anyone in Christ can receive forgiveness for their sins, be justified, and have eternal life. If you are in Christ, you don’t have a righteousness of your own, but Christ’s. If you are in Christ and are hidden in Him, you also receive the Holy Spirit, evidence of your adoption as God’s child. What Christ did on the cross restored peace in our relationship with God and broke down the dividing wall of hostility that separates us from God. In Christ, we get to have access to God’s throne of grace, in which we can ask God for mercy and grace as His children.

2 Corinthians 5:21

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Ephesians 2:14

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Galatians 4:6

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

That tells us that the way to get closer to God is not by doing many good works, thinking that each good work makes us closer to God. Instead, the only way to get closer to God is in Christ. As Christ said, He is the only way to the Father. No one comes to the Father except through Him.

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

How can God hear me?

If you are not in Christ, your prayers won’t reach God, no matter what, because of your sin. What God has for you is not love, but wrath, because of sin. Therefore, you should repent from your life of sin, believe in the person and work of Christ, and commit to following Him for the rest of your life. When you repent and place your faith in His finished work on the cross, you are in Christ. It is then you receive adoption as God’s child and pray to God as His child. You get to freely approach God’s throne of grace and be directly heard by God as you pray for your concerns. Christ is the only way for us to be heard by God.

Matthew 3:2

And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Heavenly Father, You are so gracious and merciful that You have sent Your Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Thank You, because through Christ I have received adoption as Your son. Whenever I approach Your throne of grace, I don’t just come to You as a servant but also as Your child. Thank You—because of what Christ did on the cross, I can now call You Father and pray to You; not just as the God I revere but also as my Heavenly Father Who cares for me. Give me the grace to always make time for You and spend solitude with You. Remind me always what a privilege it is to be able to come before Your presence. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Being able to come before God’s presence and pray to Him is a privilege. It is something that we receive only because of God’s grace through Christ. That is why we should value and prioritize our time with God and make sure to spend solitude with our Heavenly Father.