So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
 – John 11:41-42 (NIV)

Jesus spoke these words in response to God’s raising of Lazarus from the dead. Jesus thanks God when his prayer is answered, and he acknowledges that he knows that God always hears him. In saying these things, Jesus shows us how God wants us to communicate with Him.

When I have prayed, I want to thank God for hearing me. In thanking Him, I will be acknowledging His grace in my life. I will be expressing my faith that He is listening. This is the faith I know I need to trust that God always hears my prayers – even when I don’t feel Him responding, or see the results that I want, or get an answer or clear direction immediately. I want to trust that He will respond when He is ready. I want to display that trust even when I am sad, lonely, feeling stuck or stunted in my growth, fearful, sick, or worried. I want to trust that He hears me even when my heart hurts over the sins of the world, or when I witness the horror of disease and dysfunction.

God always hears me. I do believe this because of the witness of His Son, Jesus. He listens to my every breath, every mutter, every sob, and every moment of rejoicing. I want to show Him my faith in thanking Him before He even answers. That same faith that Jesus has in God’s presence and God’s power is the faith I desire with all my heart.