O Thou That Hearest Prayer

A songwriter wrote several years ago -

"Yes He answers prayer today, In the same old fashioned way He will grant us our petition if we trust and truly pray He will help us when in trouble Life the load of Care Yes the God of battles lives and answers prayer.

Basill Miller an author of many books tells a story in one of them about Harmon Schmelzenbach. Bro. Schmelzenbach was a missionary to Sawziland, South Africa. He was a tremendous man of God and faith. His wife wrote a powerful book about his life, and Sea Breeze camp a few years ago had his grandson give the story of how God brought a powerful revival in Swaziland. A powerful message entitled "Ring the Bell"

He was described by the British government as, "The greatest missionary in South Africa since David Livingstone." Many miraculous deliverances and escapes came in answer to prayer.

One paticular day Harmon was traveling through the grasslands of South Africa and he knelt down and rededicated his life to God anew. He asked that God would protect and help him. He climbed back on his horse and started back through the wild terrain. At one point he felt as though he was in danger and he heard a voice whisper, "DUCK" Harmon ducked his head.

After he had traveled past the spot he turned to look, and there setting on a limb just above where his head had been only moments ago, was a deadly snake. It had reached out and tried to get him as he roade past.

Brother Schmelzenbach wrote this in his diary noting the time and day. And sometime later he found out at that time someone in America was praying specifically for him. [1]

I'm Glad we serve a God who answers prayer.

God hears your words - Jesus taught his disciples and us to pray. He teaches us to pray with words. Pray in a specific manner, a pattern. Do you mind to pray that prayer with me - Found in Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Jesus prayed - he used words - he talked to His Father. He encouraged us to Talk to Him. He instructed us to pray in faith - nothing doubting. I love the passage in John where on one occasion of Jesus' prayers where we are able to listen in on we see a glimpse of how important our words are when we pray - Listen to this

John 11:41-44

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+11&version=KJV>

God hears your heartI love the story in the Old Testament where Hannah comes to church and can't find the words to put to her prayer. So she just moves her lips and lets her heart do the talkingYou ever been there? No words are adequate or usableWe have a God who hears even the silent prayers. Because he hears your heart. He listens to every prayer it makes.Another incident in the Bible

45 And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.

From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+24&version=KJV>

Oh Thou that hearest Prayer - A prayer hearing and a prayer answering God.

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[M] ANSWERED PRAYER IN MISSIONARY SERVICE By Basil William Miller Beacon Hill Press Kansas City, Missouri First Printing, April 1951 Second Printing, July 1951 Printed in United States of America