Dig Deeper - Sunday 27th July 2025
Sermon Reflection Questions - Exploring Life's Biggest Questions Through the Lens of Faith: Have You Ever Wondered If God Really Hears Your Prayers?
1 John 5:14–15
Dig Deeper notes from Sunday 27th July service:
Many of us—if we're honest—have wondered whether God truly hears our prayers. It’s a question that touches everyone, even the most faithful believers. Prayer can feel like a mystery. At times we sense God's nearness; at other times, we wonder if our words are just bouncing off the ceiling.
And yet, the Bible offers us clear assurance: “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). Jesus himself urges us to ask, seek, knock—reminding us that God is a good Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:7–11).
Prayer is deeply rooted in human experience. Surveys show that around half of UK adults pray—often for peace, healing, or during crisis. Children, too, instinctively turn to God in prayer, even when they don’t fully understand the theology. The desire to be heard is hardwired into us.
But what about the times when we pray and don’t see answers? Or worse, when the answer seems to be “no”?
The key lies in praying according to God’s will. Scripture encourages us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2), so that we begin to think as God thinks and want what He wants. God’s answers are shaped by His love, wisdom, and desire for our growth—not just our comfort.
Sometimes God says no because He knows something we don’t. Like a loving parent who says no to a child’s enthusiastic but unsafe request, God sees the bigger picture. A clip from Bruce Almighty illustrates this powerfully—when all prayers are answered “yes,” chaos ensues.
Even the Apostle Paul experienced unanswered prayer. He pleaded for God to remove his “thorn in the flesh,” but God replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). God didn’t remove the suffering, but gave Paul grace to endure it.
Unanswered prayer isn’t necessarily a sign of spiritual failure. Sometimes, it’s where our faith deepens most. When heaven seems silent, God’s presence can still be found—in Scripture, in the love of others, and in the stillness.
In the end, prayer isn’t just about getting what we want—it’s about becoming who God calls us to be. Prayer draws us into God’s life and invites Him into ours. It’s where we discover that we are heard, we are invited to keep seeking, and we are ultimately held—no matter the outcome.
Discussion Questions to reflect on:
1. What stood out to you most from this week’s sermon?
2. Have you ever had a moment where you felt your prayer was clearly answered?
3. What helps you to keep praying when God seems silent?
4. How do you respond when God’s answer to prayer is “no”?
5. What does it mean to you to pray “according to God’s will”?
6. How might God be using unanswered prayer to shape your character?
7. Have you ever felt God’s presence during a time of suffering or waiting?
8. How could you develop a deeper rhythm of prayer in your daily life?
A prayer to close.
A prayer for trust in Jesus, by Ignatius of Loyola:
O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.
Amen.
