Does God Hear Us?

This blog is NOT about us hearing from God, I repeat, NOT about us hearing from God, It is about God hearing us when we pray. And it is also not about all the different kinds of prayers we can pray, but how to pray according to God’s will.

God hears us when we repent and call on the name of Jesus. In fact, God is waiting for people to repent, but when it’s over people, it’s over! 

But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:7-9

The Lord hears the prayers of the righteous.  After we repent and are made righteous in Jesus, we are to follow after God’s will.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 1 Peter 3:12

A righteous person prays according to God’s will.

We can pray with confidence that God hears us, when we pray according to God’s will.

We can pray  with confidence that God hears us, when our hearts do not condemn us because we are living our lives based on what God tells us to do; believing on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and loving one another. 1 John 3:20-24, 5:12-21

How do we know God’s Will?

God’s WILL is revealed to us in God’s word, and we know God’s will, not only by hearing God’s word, but by obeying God's word.

Prayers in the Bible by people who knew God’s will by doing God’s will.

First and foremost, Jesus! First, let us breakdown the prayer he prayed for all that would believe on him. John 17. 

•       Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
•       now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
•       I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
•       Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
•       Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
•       The glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
•       Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
•       I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Wow! Now that’s a prayer! Everyone should want that prayed over them! And they can, if they come to Jesus!

We know God heard Jesus when he prayed. On the cross Jesus prayed. 
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34

Jesus said he knew that His Father always heard him. He said this when he came to raise Lazarus from the dead.

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. John 11:39-43

We know God heard Stephen when he prayed.

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. Acts 7:59-60

Prayers by people that obeyed God's word.

Paul wrote about God’s callings.
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Paul wrote about God’s Word having free course. 
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have a free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 Thessalonians 3:1

Paul wrote about praying for those in authority.
I  exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Paul wrote about praying over food.
For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:4-5

Accomplishing God’s Will

Jesus came to do or accomplish His Father’s will. The written word was written to do or accomplish the Father’s WILL. God’s children are recreated to do or accomplish the Father’s will. We do this by believing on the name of Jesus and loving one another. The will of the Father is life everlasting! We promote that life and love people by pointing people to Jesus!

Jesus said, For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own WILL, but the WILL of him that sent me. And this is the Father's WILL which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the WILL of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have EVERLASTING LIFE: and I WILL raise him up at the last day. . No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.  Read John 6

Pray first!

We shouldn’t say we’re going to do this or that, without praying first. Many of us decide to do this or that and then we ask God to bless it. Backwards!

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. . friendship of the world is enmity with God?. . .Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. Read James 4

Pray God’s will be done!

Just like Jesus, we should pray God’s WILL be done, not our WILL be done. Our spirits are WILLING to do things God’s way, but it’s our flesh that is weak, so we need to be always praying. Jesus prayed before he was betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is WILLing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy WILL be done. Matthew 26:41-42

What does it mean, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven? What is God’s will in heaven?

For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. Matthew 22:30

Surely, we do not pray that there will be no marriage here, because God’s word has much to say about marriage here! 

The following are some things I found about what is in heaven. Maybe they can help us better understand the prayer, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

There’s room in heaven!

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2-3)

God sits on the throne in heaven!

The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. Psalms 11:4

The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Psalms 103:19

God’s word is settled in heaven!
Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89

There are treasures in heaven!
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Matthew 6:20

There are angels in heaven!
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:10

If we embrace Jesus here, our names are written in heaven!
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20

There is joy in heaven when people repent!
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Luke 15:7

Jesus is at God’s right hand in heaven! 
And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Acts 7:56

The wrath of God will be revealed from heaven!
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. Romans 1:18-19

Christ appears in the presence of God for us in heaven!
It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Hebrews 9:23-24

We have a better and an enduring substance in heaven!
For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Hebrews 10:34

In Christ, we have eternal inheritance in heaven!

an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 1 Peter 1:4

The Holy Ghost and Jesus was sent to us from heaven!
Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 1 Peter 1:12

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. John 6:38

Three bear record in heaven!
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1 John 5:7

There are many references to what is in heaven in the Book of Revelation, but I do not understand enough to go there.

So, I think praying that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven, is also praying that God’s will be just as important down here as it is up there! We should want what God wants down here just as much as they want what God wants in heaven. 

It isn’t all about us.

Jesus loved Lazarus and he wept at his death.  Lazarus’ death was not pleasant, but bringing him back from the dead was, and it brought glory to God. 
Read about it in John 11

God so loved the world he sent his Son to die for us. Christ’s death was not pleasant, but bringing Him back from the dead was, and it brought glory to God.
John 3:16

Many of the apostles suffered and died. There sufferings and deaths were not pleasant, but they got the Gospel of Jesus Christ out, and it brought glory to God. History attests to this!

Daily briefings!

If we have embraced Christ, our spirits have been made new, but our bodies and our minds need daily briefings on what God’s will is! We should present our bodies and renew our minds to God’s WILL, daily. 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, WILL of God. Romans 12:1-2

Sound teaching!

And we all need sound teaching, and there is a lot of unsound teaching out there. Paul wrote to Timothy.

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:2-4

Pray for people!

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who WILL have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Prayer: Lord, hear our prayer! Reveal your will to us as we read and obey Your words. May your Holy Spirit help us understand Your plan. Give us grace to follow Jesus in this life; to walk in love, be a light, and understand Your good will. We pray that people will come to Jesus and that Your Holy Spirit will guide them there. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

God is on the throne, not us!
God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Psalms 115:2-3
The prayer Jesus taught us to pray.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: 
•       Our Father which art in heaven
•       Hallowed be thy name.
•       Thy kingdom come
•       Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
•       Give us this day our daily bread.
•       And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
•       And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: 
•       For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen Matthew 6:7-13