Daniel 10:12
Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you SET YOUR HEART to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
Previously, we learnt from Daniel’s experience and others’ that our Heavenly Father is typically swift to hear when we pray. Today we learn the role of our hearts and minds in effective prayer.
Observe that Daniel was heard as soon as he set his heart to seek the Lord’s face. Even before he uttered a word, God was ready to respond. Why? Because God knows and considers our hearts and our thoughts (Ps 94:11, 139:2).
In the same vein, King David instructed his successor to serve God with a perfect heart and a willing mind, because He searches all hearts and understands all the intents of the thoughts (1 Chron. 28:9). Jesus says our Father knows our needs before we express them verbally (Mat 6:32).
In short, effective prayer starts in the heart rather than the mouth. As much as faith must be in the heart and in the mouth (Rom 10:9-10, Mar 11:23), so must prayer. Our thoughts and our talk must match (Ps 19:14). God hears the words of our hearts before the words of our mouths.
Let not your thoughts ruin your powerful prayers. Let the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart be acceptable in God’s presence. When that happens: “And it shall come to pass, that before you call, God will answer; and while you are yet speaking, God will hear” (Isa 65:24). Let that be your portion today!
Pastor Josh