Day 19 — God Is Listening

“Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

— Jeremiah 33:3 (BSB)

When God spoke these words, the prophet Jeremiah wasn’t sitting somewhere peaceful. He was locked up. The king didn’t like what Jeremiah was saying about God, so he had him shut away in the courtyard of the guard. Jeremiah couldn’t leave. His city was surrounded by enemies. Things looked hopeless.

But right there, in the middle of all that trouble, God said: “Call to Me, and I will answer.”

That’s what prayer is. It’s simply talking with God. And here’s the amazing part: God wants you to. He isn’t annoyed when you come to Him. He’s not too busy. He invites you: “Call to Me.”

Some people think prayer has to sound fancy, with special words like “thee” and “thou.” It doesn’t. God understands ordinary words. Some people think prayer only counts at church or before dinner. But you can pray anywhere: on the bus, in the shower, walking to class, lying in bed. Some people think they need to close their eyes and fold their hands. That can help you focus, but God hears you with your eyes open too!

You can tell God anything. You can thank Him, ask Him for help, tell Him you’re sorry, tell Him you’re scared or tell Him about your day. He already knows it all, but He loves to hear it from you, like a parent who loves hearing their kid talk.

And God promises to answer. He also says He will “show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” When you talk with God, you get to know Him better, and He teaches you things you’d never figure out on your own.

This week we’re going to learn a lot about prayer. But it all starts here: God is listening. So start talking.

Think about it: What makes it hard for you to pray? What does Jeremiah 33:3 say to those reasons?

Try this: Go for a “prayer walk” today. Walk around your house, yard or neighborhood, and talk to God about whatever you see.

Dear God, thank You that You want to hear from me. Thank You that I can call to You anytime and anywhere, and You will answer. Teach me to talk with You every day. Show me great things about You that I don’t know yet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.