BGEA: Does God only hear us when we pray out loud or does He hear silent prayers also?

Does God only hear us when we pray out loud or does He hear silent prayers also? Please forgive me if this is a dumb question, but I didn't grow up in a religious home and have just become a Christian. — D.W.W.

Don't be embarrassed to ask questions when you don't understand something about the Christian life; after all, God wants you to come to know Him more and more each day. Jesus' disciples repeatedly asked for His help, and so should we. On one occasion they said, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1).

Yes, God hears our prayers on all occasions, whether we're praying out loud or praying silently in our hearts and minds. After all, He knows all about us and knows what is going on inside us—both good and bad. The Bible says that God "judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). The Bible also says, "The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him" (Proverbs 15:26).

God even hears our prayers when we can't even put them into words—times, for example, when our hearts are too burdened or confused even to speak. The Bible says, "the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express" (Romans 8:26).

One of God's greatest gifts to us is the privilege of prayer—a privilege that is possible because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. Thank God for the privilege of prayer and learn daily to "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

28 Comments

cute angel says 6.10.2013, 7:19 p.m.

I had no idea that Satan cudnt hear silent prayers but Only God Our Lord does, of which its of a good cos because he cannot hear what I ask frm God and try destroy it! This article helped me discover one of God's wonders and for that, I'll foreva praise Him and Him ONLY! In Jesus name

Commentor says 6.8.2013, 5:04 p.m.

We should all pray out loud audibly if we are physically able to and we should all pray silently within our selves too. We need to do both. God hears everything but satan cannot.Ward off the enemies attacks with our loud voices!!!!

pst kitonga{smd} says 5.27.2013, 2:21 p.m.

Praying out loud makes devil unhappy coz he doesn't want the mentioning of the name JESUS CHRIST.

Venn says 5.27.2013, 06:34 a.m.

Lord created us in his own image , before we start our prayers , Lord already knows what we desire before we ask . Silent prayer is important , is only your secret with The Lord . The satan will never carrier over your blessing , silent is the rock .

Keith says 5.8.2013, 11:44 p.m.

Praise God, I pray inwardly most of the time. And I've been wondering a lot about that lately, Thank you!

speak it says 4.16.2013, 01:54 a.m.

if theres a question of it you should speak it or not the safest way would be to speak it. Anytime God or Jesus wanted something done they spoke it. Everything from "let their be light" to "take up your mat and walk"... dont shut up for God!

Mario says 4.6.2013, 03:42 a.m.

To GOD alone be the glory!!! Thank you Jesus for what you did for me on the cross.

mafe says 4.5.2013, 10:26 a.m.

I hope he will hear mine too.

Kaushila says 2.22.2013, 11:08 p.m.

I'm glad to read this. I pray silently.....God be praised!

Kensia says 2.12.2013, 02:58 a.m.

Only God can hear silent prayers, NOT SATAN..sometimes it's good to pray out loud just to remind satan that you belong to God ALL MIGHTY.

IB says 1.19.2013, 07:09 a.m.

Praise The Lord For This Amazing Article,Now The Devil As Been Put To Shame.

lynds says 1.12.2013, 5:55 p.m.

Thank you for addressing this question I too pray aloud and silent so much happier to know my thoughts and feelings are still with him. Amen

Shirley says 1.6.2013, 4:42 p.m.

Thank you so much. I often wonder if God hear my prayers. I pray in silence too.

Cindy says 12.8.2012, 9:40 p.m.

Thank you SO much for this page. I have for many years been embarrassed to ask someone HOW I should pray! This makes me feel so much better! Thank You!!!

Victoria says 9.26.2012, 11:09 p.m.

THANK YOU. this is completely what i needed to hear

beverly says 9.16.2012, 06:09 a.m.

I find that I. Can pray,more sincerely and effortlessly when I pray in silence but on the other hand it feels good to. Praise God with an audible voice a lot of times paying out loud can usher you into another level of worship

Jeremy says 9.9.2012, 03:21 a.m.

I've been praying with my heart and in my thoughts for years. After wondering if i was being heard i'm glad i found this page. I'll feel more at rest when i pray.

eliana says 8.23.2012, 01:15 a.m.

Very glad to know ive wondered about this for years but feel good knowing that the lord still hears me in my silence.

Amanda says 8.13.2012, 8:23 p.m.

This is a great post. I was wondering the same thing which is why I searched for an answer. Thank you for assuring me that God can always hear me even in silence.

Shalyn says 7.14.2012, 11:06 p.m.

So happy to know for sure God hears me even in silence! Thank you Jesus!

Jade says 7.4.2012, 06:11 a.m.

Thank you Lord for this article! Amen.

Megan says 6.29.2012, 12:33 a.m.

I have only just become a 'true' Christian. I did believe in God and Jesus but to be truthful, I was sceptical. I used to pray in my head at night and now I'm so happy that He can hear me.

Reeves says 5.7.2012, 00:44 a.m.

THANK YOU

Melodie says 4.27.2012, 03:07 a.m.

I am so happy and relieved to know that God hears my prayers even in silence. My husband is a very light sleeper, I do most of my praying at night with my heart and mind in almost silence. I've often worried that God may not hear them but now I know.

Sarah says 3.23.2012, 00:04 a.m.

I am so glad to read this...I pray at night silently, and have wondered if He still hears me or if I am just talking to myself. It is good to know that I am talking to Him even if it's inaudible to anyone around me.

PATRICK says 11.28.2011, 06:38 a.m.

IMPRESSED

Sue says 5.28.2011, 6:36 p.m.

I'm so glad to read that God hears silent prayers. I'm going on holiday soon and sharing a room so won't be able to pray aloud like I do in the privacy of my own home. I really was struggling to know if God would hear me when I'm on holiday. I can't go for 2 weeks without reading the bible and praying.

Kim says 11.12.2010, 02:49 a.m.

I was happy to read this article. Somone once told me that God would only hear our prayers that we say out loud, not that He couldn't but we are to say them aloud so that Satan would hear us praising Him.