God Hears Our Prayers

Like many people, you have likely experienced unanswered prayers over the years. Whether you've prayed for assistance with a struggle, for a health concern, or for someone to join you in church and share your faith in Christ, you may feel as though there has been no breakthrough. But does this mean you should give up on praying or being faithful to God? Absolutely not!

We must remember that God hears our prayers, and His timing, which often differs from our human understanding of time, is always perfect. Take Zechariah and Elizabeth as an example. They both faithfully followed and served God, yet their prayers for a child were not answered immediately. According to Luke 1:18, Elizabeth was advanced in age and had passed the typical childbearing years for women. I can imagine that this humble couple may have forgotten about their prayer for a child as they reached their 60s, 70s, and even 80s, but God did not forget!

Luke 1:8, 11-13 says, "Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty.... 11 There appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.' "

Notice that Zechariah was serving when the angel appeared to deliver the miraculous news that his wife would have a son. Sometimes, we tend to abandon our responsibilities when we don’t receive the answers we desire. However, we must remember that God is at work even while we are waiting.

The angel informs Zechariah that God has heard their prayers. This moment marks the first relevatory words spoken from heaven in 400 years, as during that time, God had ceased His direct communication and revelations with His people. Despite this silence, their prayers continued to be heard. You can take comfort in knowing that even when it feels like heaven is silent, God is listening, and an answer is on the way. John will be born at the exact time needed to fit into the timeline of the coming Messiah.

We must not forget the same holds for you and me. God hears our prayers, and at the right time, His plan will unfold. Our responsibility is to remain faithful and wait on God even when our circumstances seem unfair. Knowing this, keep praying, and don't give up before the miracle.