God Hears Our Prayers—Even When He Seems Silent
The summer air was thick with humidity as we made our way into the wilderness. Hemlocks breathed their pungent, piney scent, and the river rolled along casually—inviting us into the clear, cool water. I had no idea this backpacking trip with a friend was about to become a lifelong reminder that God hears our prayers.
We reached our campsite and erected our tent as storm clouds gathered overhead. With the invincibility of 25-year-olds, we didn’t worry about the ominous clouds and ran to the river for a swim as soon as the tent was in place.
After a short swim, the thunderous clouds descended upon us, and heaven unleashed in all its fury. I had stashed my Bible under a rock outcropping by the river and was planning to soak in my favorite Psalms after our swim. I decided to wait out the storm beneath the rock ledge while my friend ran back to the tent.
As we waited for the storm to pass in our respective shelters, I rested beneath the safety of the rock and talked to God about my life. I told him about everything that felt stressful and expressed a deep desire to encounter him in new and intimate ways. I then pulled out my Bible. The words in front of me seemed to be written specifically for my stormy moment by the river.
God Hears Our Prayers
My bookmark was placed at Psalm 97. The beginning of the Psalm included the following words: “The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad. Clouds and thick darkness surround him. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles” (v. 1, 2, 4 NIV).
It seemed the Lord was speaking to me directly. He was showing me his glory and simultaneously revealing himself to me through his Word and his creation. I felt seen, heard, and known. The Psalm was a reminder that God hears my prayers and cares about my worries.
When the storm passed, I hurried to the tent to tell my friend about my divine encounter. Before I could speak, she said, “Listen to what I just read in my Bible!” Sure enough, she began reading the words of Psalm 97.
Years later, when I need to be reminded that God hears my prayers, I remember that stormy camping trip. I remind myself that God hears every cry of my heart. He doesn’t always reveal himself through serendipitous encounters, but he hears his children.
Bible Verses About God Hearing Our Prayers
Let’s soak in these words about God’s promise to hear the prayers of his children:
1. Psalm 91:15 ESV
When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
This verse refers to the person who finds shelter and refuge in God.
When God is our Safe Place, we can trust that he hears our prayers.
2. Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
The key to answered prayer is alignment with God.
When our hearts are aligned with God’s heart, we will begin seeing answers to our prayers like never before.
For this reason, one of the most powerful prayers is: “God, please align my heart with yours.”
3. Jeremiah 33:3
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
God wants to reveal himself to us.
I regularly ask God to show me what he wants me to know about my life. I almost always receive a wise impression from the Lord or a sense of direction.
4. John 15:7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
We abide in Christ by staying closely connected to him.
As we press into him, he changes our hearts. Our hearts come into alignment with his heart, and we begin seeing fruitful answers to our prayers.
5. 2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
These words were for ancient Israel, and they are true for us today.
God answers our prayers when we are repentant, turning away from intentional sin and turning toward him.
Do you need to repent of any sins today so that your prayers are not hindered? Ask God to search your heart and reveal any sin to you.
6. James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
When we live vulnerably with others, confessing our sins and praying for one another, mountains move in our lives.
I can attest to this because I have experienced it. My greatest breakthroughs almost always come after bringing struggles into the light with others.
When we pray for each other, in agreement, our prayers bear fruit.
7. Luke 11:9
And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
God is a good Father. He wants to bless his children with good gifts. Keep asking and continue pursuing him in prayer.
8. 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
For those who have received Jesus as Lord and Savior, God forgives us when we confess our sins to him.
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You might wonder if God hears you. Maybe you feel like he has forgotten you. Don’t lose heart. God has not forgotten you, and he hears your cries. He is waiting to reveal himself to you.
God has not forgotten you, and he hears your cries. He is waiting to reveal himself to you. #GodsLove #GodHears #Prayer Share on X
An Invitation to Connect With God in Prayer:
Writing our prayers can help us keep track of the ways God responds to our cries. Today, spend a few minutes quieting yourself with the Lord. When your mind feels quiet, write about a need that is heavy on your heart today.
You might write in your journal or start a prayer file on your computer or phone. After writing this request to God, thank him for hearing you. Trust him to answer in his perfect timing. I encourage you to start a habit of regularly writing your prayers. You will create space to see God’s hand in motion.
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 7, 12, and 16, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. I also recently released a teen devotional called Anchored, designed to help teens learn key biblical narratives and apply them to their lives. You can find these books here or read more below. 
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Devotions for Boys by Boys
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
These Books Are Free on Kindle Unlimited: God Wants to Heal, Restore, and Refresh You
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. He also wants to help you establish a rhythm of meeting with him daily as you trust him with the hard parts of your life. Click here to explore two books that will guide you: Be Still and Trust and Lean Into Grace. They are free on the Kindle Unlimited program and for sale in print.
Download Your Free Devotional Here
Set Free: Let God Do What You Cannot explores ten realms in which most of us need God to work in our lives and bring deliverance. We’ll talk about finding freedom from fear, worry, insecurity, bad habits, emotional pain, and more. This short online devotional will bless you as you let God accomplish what you’ve been unable to achieve through willpower. Get your download for free with promo code GRACE or for a donation of 3.99 here. Thank you. This small gift helps keep this ministry running.
I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
