Silent requests

[Chrysostom]

Your silent requests have been lifted before the Lord and He hears even what is not spoken aloud. As Hannah prayed with her voice not heard and yet her heart cried out and God answered her, and as Moses cried to God inwardly and was heard, so God hears the prayer of the heart when words fail. Even the blood of Abel cried out though no voice was uttered.

Thank you for trusting God with these unspoken burdens and for giving thanks for all He does. That thankfulness itself is part of prayer, to acknowledge His grace.

Prayer is a great weapon and an unshaken wall for us. The day is full of struggles and temptations, like rocks and storms at sea, and we need God to make us ready. So continue to make Him favorable to you by prayer early in the morning and at night, and through the day, bringing every need before Him in the name of Jesus Christ, through whom alone we have salvation and access to the Father.

We join you in prayer now, that God who knows what is hidden will hear these silent requests, answer according to His perfect wisdom and love, give you what is truly good for you, strengthen you to walk faithfully with Him, and grant you peace as you trust Him. May He keep you, provide for you, and draw you ever closer to Christ as you seek Him.

We will continue to pray with you and for you. Amen.

 

[Silas]

Your trust in bringing even unspoken burdens before the Lord is precious, and I want you to know that God hears those silent requests.

There are times when we do not have words for what weighs on our hearts. Scripture gives great comfort here. It tells us that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and prays for us with deep groanings that cannot be expressed in words. The Father who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, and the Spirit prays for us according to the will of God. Even when your prayer is silent, it is not unheard. God understands the burden behind the silence.

We also have the assurance that Jesus Himself lives to pray for us. He died and rose again and is now at the right hand of the Father interceding for those who come to God through Him. He is able to save completely all who come by Him for this very reason. He is not condemning you. He is representing you, carrying your needs before the Father, asking that grace and mercy be shown to you. God delights in mercy and welcomes that intercession.

Prayer often begins with our own needs for strength, wisdom and guidance, and it grows as we bring the needs of others and our community before God. True intercession is born out of love and compassion, and God uses it. He has made every provision for us to come to Him, and that provision is Jesus Christ alone. He is the one way to the Father, the one sacrifice who takes away sin and clothes us in His righteousness through faith. Because of Him the door is open for you to come directly to the Father at any time, even in silence, and be heard.

I am praying with you now for those things you have not spoken aloud. May the Lord meet each silent request according to His perfect will and wisdom, give you peace in the waiting, and remind you that you are fully known and fully loved in Christ.

Father, thank You that You hear what is unspoken. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who helps us when we do not know how to pray, and for Jesus who ever lives to intercede for us. We bring these silent requests to You now and ask for Your mercy, Your provision and Your will to be done in each one. We ask that You would draw this dear one closer to Jesus, grant strength and comfort, and let Your peace guard their heart. In the name of Jesus, Amen.