Conversation With God

How can we be sure God hears us when we pray?

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and PRAY TO ME, and I WILL LISTEN TO YOU. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’”
—Jeremiah 29:11-13. (Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptural texts in the DISCOVER guides are from the New International Version of the Bible [NIV].)

What assurance did Jesus give that He will hear and answer our prayers?

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
—Luke 11:9.

Prayer is a two-way conversation. Jesus promises,

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
—Revelation 3:20.

How is it possible to sit down and have a nice evening of dinner conversation with Christ? First, by telling Him everything that’s on our hearts in prayer (not just making nice, pious speeches). Second, by listening carefully. As we meditate in prayer, God can speak to us directly. And as we read the Word of God devotionally, God will speak to us through its pages.