I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! – Psalm 116:1-2
Max Lucado is a beloved contemporary inspirational Christian writer. A former pastor and best selling author of many books and devotionals (Before Amen, Facing Your Giants, Anxious For Nothing, 3:16), he writes this about our God who listens to His children when we pray:
“You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter His presence, the attendants turn to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God and he listens.”*
While popular author, apologist and evangelist Josh McDowell was attending seminary in California, his father went home to be with the Lord. His mother had died years earlier, but Josh was not sure of her salvation. He became depressed, thinking that she might be lost. Was she a Christian or not? The thought obsessed him.
“Lord,” he prayed, “somehow give me the answer so I can get back to normal. I’ve just got to know.” It seemed like an impossible request. Two days later, Josh drove out to the ocean. He walked to the end of a pier to be alone. There sat an old woman in a lawn chair, fishing.
“Where’s your home originally?” she asked.
“Michigan — Union City,” Josh replied. “Nobody’s heard of it. I tell people it’s a suburb of -“
“Battle Creek,” interrupted the woman. “I had a cousin from there. Did you know the McDowell family?”
Stunned, Josh responded, “Yes, I’m Josh McDowell!”
“I can’t believe it,” said the woman. “I’m a cousin to your mother.”
“Do you remember anything at all about my mother’s spiritual life?” asked Josh.
“Why sure. Your mom and I were just girls, teenagers, when a tent revival came to town. It was the fourth night and we both went forward to accept Christ.”
“Praise God!” shouted Josh, startling the surrounding fishermen.**
God listens to our every request! He’s just waiting for yours. Maranatha!
* Max Lucado, The Great House of God, p. 81.
** Josh McDowell, Answered Prayer
To help us walk closer with God and to know Him better
