He Always Listens and Understands

Editorial by Jerry Lutz

Have you ever struggled to find the right words to express yourself? If so, you are not alone. In fact, we all experience this in infancy and childhood. We all go through that time of life when we do not have words to communicate what we think or feel. But that doesn’t stop us from trying. We use other means of getting attention and communicating our needs, like fussing, crying, acting out or throwing tantrums: The universal sign language of childhood, if you will. We demand to be heard and understood and will not be deterred from accomplishing those goals, despite a parent’s attempts to soothe and placate us. Perhaps you have noticed this behavior is not necessarily overcome by maturation, the acquisition of language or advanced communication skills, no matter how eloquent one may become. We act out even in adulthood because some things simply cannot be put into words, no matter how large our vocabulary or how long we live. Some feelings and thoughts are so deep and visceral that their expression defies human language, even sign language. To be understood and to understand are the twin primary objectives of communication that are necessary to our basic survival and coping with the complexities of life. So, what does this have to do with prayer? Anything? Everything.

The fact that Jesus instructs us to “ask” (Matt. 7:7) indicates that He is always listening. It is encouraging to know that God always hears our prayers. But that He always understands our prayers suggests an intimate level of communication that far exceeds human comprehension and ability. How can we be certain of this? He tells us so and even shares how He does it. Romans 8:26–27 says, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (NKJV).

The enemy of souls cannot keep God from hearing and answering our prayers, but he will do everything he can to discourage us from asking. Why? Because he knows Jesus always hears our prayers and understands them even when we cannot find the words to express them ourselves. We have much to pray about these days. Let us not hesitate to open our hearts to Him. He always listens and always understands.

Jerry Lutz serves as the president of the Chesapeake Conference.