'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — May 12

The Most High is a God that hears prayer. Though he is infinitely above all, and stands in no need of creatures, yet he is graciously pleased to take a merciful notice of such poor worms of the dust. He presents himself as one sitting on a mercy-seat, that men may come to him in prayer. In our need he allows us to come and ask him, and he is ready to hear our prayers. God has given many promises to hear our prayers; the Scripture is full of such examples. He manifests himself to be a God that hears prayer. What is meant by God's hearing our prayers? Two things are implied. (1.) He accepts the supplications of those who pray to him. He is pleased with them. He accepts the honour we do him by our praying. (2.) He reveals himself to us by special discoveries of his mercy and sufficiency. While we are praying he gives us sweet views of his glorious grace and sovereignty. He enables us to rest in him and leave our prayers with him, submitting to his will, and trusting in his grace and faithfulness. Hannah came and poured out her soul before God, and he quieted her mind, and took away her sadness (1 Sam. 1). This seems to have been from refreshing discoveries which God made of himself to her, to enable her quietly to submit to his will, and trust in his mercy. Do not conclude that the particular thing for which you prayed will certainly be given in answer to your prayers. Yet, God may and doubtless does testify of his acceptance of our prayers, and thus we may confidently rest in his providence and in his merciful ordering and disposing with respect to the thing we have asked for. God manifests his acceptance of our prayers by doing for us that which is agreeable to our needs and our supplications.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Jonathan Edwards, Works, II:114
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