Do you have unspoken prayers? During community prayer gatherings these prayers are often referred to as special intentions because they are shared between God and the individual only. Many if not most of our prayers go unshared with others. These prayers are intimate and we choose to keep them to ourselves. The good news is, “God hears what is not spoken and understands what is not explained.”
I recall an inspiring story about a woman named Hannah who couldn’t bear children, but so desperately wanted to. She prayed daily for a miracle. One day while praying in the temple with tears streaming down her face, she poured her soul out to God. Unbeknownst to her the priest was observing her. She was crying and her lips’ were moving, but her voice could not be heard. The priest then assumed that Hannah was drunk and accused her of having too much wine. She then explained to him that she was praying out of great anguish and grief. However, she kept her unspoken prayer to herself. Once the priest learned that she was not drunk, he said to her “Go in peace and may God grant you what you have asked for.” It wasn’t long thereafter that God answered her unspoken prayer. She became the proud mother of Samuel.
When others don’t know…God knows. What others don’t hear or see God hears and sees. There are some things that go best unsaid and it’s the same with our prayers. When necessary our deepest desires, hopes and anguish can remain a private and intimate conversation with God. We know that God answers spoken and unspoken prayers. What unspoken prayer has God answered in your life? If it’s ok, please share with us.
Lord, before a word is spoken from my mouth, you know it; listen and answer our spoken and unspoken prayers.
