The Upper Room Devotional 18th October 2023: God Hears Us

TODAY’S TOPIC: GOD HEARS US

Joan R. S. McDowell (Scotland, United Kingdom)

TODAY’S READING
Exodus 2:23-25

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God knows my thoughts and hears my words.

Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. – Malachi 3:16 (NIV)

A friend and I meet monthly to pray. We share our worries and answered prayers then spend some time talking to God about these things. We have seen prayers answered over the years and have supported one another through difficult times.

One time, when we met to pray, my friend shared something that was really bothering her. It took her a long time to share her story, and all our time together was used up talking through this one incident. At the end of our time together, my friend was distressed because we had not prayed in our usual way. But throughout her story, I had asked her questions, and we had discussed what we thought Christ’s response would be.

I expressed to her my confidence that God had heard our conversation and was fully aware of the situation. God knew her heart’s desire was to honor God in the situation. Just as God heard the concerns of the Israelites when they were in Egypt, God hears us — before we even speak. Though we had not gone through our usual routine of talking and then praying, I know that God was present with us.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we thank you that you hear our words and know what is on our hearts. Amen.

PRAYER FOCUS
Someone who encourages me to pray

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