The natural mind questions if there is a God. Also, even if there were, why would this God hear people’s prayers? These are very relevant questions. Why should a Holy God answer the prayers of a sinner? Let's face it, a sinner is not a friend of God. Living outside of God’s law makes them His enemies Paul states in Colossians 1:21: "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior." This is a very fearful place to be.
Scripture has challenged you and I to hear it’s message concerning our loving Creator God, who hears and answers prayers in such passages as: "Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" (Psalm 66: 16-20)
It has been many years since I prayed the desperate prayer of a man seeking forgiveness. When in such a state, a person has no confidence that his, or her prayers will be heard. However, our Sovereign God will listen to a repentant sinner who no longer desires to cherish sin in their heart. He who knew us before we were born knows how sincere each person is. And so, I humbled myself before The Merciful God in repentance even knowing that I did not deserve forgiveness.
This once more prompts the question why should God answer my prayer’s? The answer to this question is found in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Now that the truth of this verse has become real to me, I can say with the psalmist: "Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!"
Today, let us praise our Heavenly Father who hears and answers our prayers.
Scripture has challenged you and I to hear it’s message concerning our loving Creator God, who hears and answers prayers in such passages as: "Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" (Psalm 66: 16-20)
It has been many years since I prayed the desperate prayer of a man seeking forgiveness. When in such a state, a person has no confidence that his, or her prayers will be heard. However, our Sovereign God will listen to a repentant sinner who no longer desires to cherish sin in their heart. He who knew us before we were born knows how sincere each person is. And so, I humbled myself before The Merciful God in repentance even knowing that I did not deserve forgiveness.
This once more prompts the question why should God answer my prayer’s? The answer to this question is found in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Now that the truth of this verse has become real to me, I can say with the psalmist: "Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!"
Today, let us praise our Heavenly Father who hears and answers our prayers.
