By I love the lord because he hath heard my voice and supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as long as I live (Psalm 116:1-2)
Have you ever had a burden or concern that you just could not shake? Maybe it was an illness, a financial issue, or one of your children headed in the wrong direction that stole your peace and sleep from you. I believe all of us have experienced this in some form. We know the need of assurance that someone is listening and that someone can help us out.
Yesterday, God answered a prayer for me about a situation that had lasted for months. I’m telling you, there was a lot of sleep lost, but God was hearing and working on our behalf the entire time. It is so good to know that God inclines His ear to us when we pray.
Prayer is an interesting endeavor. Mathew 6:8 says “… your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” Yet, Philippians 4:6 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” We may say, “If God already knows, why do we need to tell him?” The answer is not complicated at all.
God inclines his ear to us. This means He really desires to hear what we think, what we feel, and what we need. God cares deeply and really wants to hear from us so we can be assured that someone is always listening. Therefore, we can pray about anything and everything that concerns us- He is listening.
The Psalmist wrote, “Because he has inclined his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” This is what a lifetime of prayer looks like. God listens when no one else will. God sees us when everyone else turns away. God helps us when no one else can. May we determine to live out a lifetime of prayer because we know He is listening!
Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.
Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter — Breanna.
Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.
by leaps and bounds 