Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.” John 11:41 NIV
When confronted with situations that seem so overwhelming and hopeless we know not how to pray, we can take a cue from the prayer book of Jesus, standing before the tomb of Lazarus.
Like the despairing Hagar’s revelation of the “God who sees me” (Gen. 16) we have here Jesus revealing the “God who hears me.” And with this simple, yet powerful prayer of thanksgiving He acknowledges that fact.
And what did the Father hear? Upon closer examination it was nothing other than Jesus’ wordless groaning in spirit (v. 33) and weeping for His grieving friends (v. 35). This provides then a great encouragement for us all in believing God is a Father who has “heard me” as well.
Can you identify with such casting of care upon a Heavenly Father, who hears and sees even the inaudible cries of the heart for mercy and relief? If so why not pause now and offer up, like Jesus, this prayer of thanksgiving acknowledging the Father has heard you?