Isaiah 65:24 
“Before they call I will answer; 
while they are still speaking I will hear.” (NIV)

“I will answer them before they even call to me. 
While they are still talking about their needs, 
I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” (NLT)

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How interested is God in hearing and answering your prayers? This verse gives us the answer. 

Hearts turned toward him. Find a ready reception. Those who earnestly seek God and His wisdom find it. Those who want to know and do His will and follow His ways will discover his eagerness to impart to them his grace. 

I spent a full week in coach training years ago. From 8 AM to 5 PM, with two hours of homework every night, Monday through Saturday, we learned the to-dos and to-don’ts of coaching. My favorite takeaway from that week was three simple questions that quickly get to the heart of just about any issue:

1. What do you want more of or less of?
2. What’s stopping you?
3. What one thing can you do in the next seven days that will get you at least 50% toward your goal?

You might want to hang on to those questions. They could come in handy for you, someone you love, or someone you work with. Since we’re here, let’s talk about you. When it comes to prayer, what do you want more of or less of? 

* What do you want God to do for you? 
* What is consistent with his nature and character? 
* What is aligned with what He wants for all people everywhere? 
* What is attuned to His heart?

The second question is really powerful. What’s stopping you? 

God is more eager to hear your prayers than you are to pray them. God is more eager to answer your prayers than you are to ask them. What’s up with that? 

Since my timeline is compressed today by an early doctor’s appointment 45 minutes away, let’s get to the bottom line. 

What one prayer can you pray right now that is consistent with his nature and character and leads toward his highest good for your life? Know this: Even as you have formed this idea now in your mind, he is in the process of answering it. Put it in words. Write it down. Add today’s date and prepare for his answer that’s better than your request. 

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I will turn my heart toward God in prayer, knowing he will answer better than I ask. 

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Our Father, teach us to pray. Give us confidence in prayer. Give us the wisdom to write down our prayers and to note when we began seeking you for these things. Remind us to also write down when we received your answer. May these notes encourage our hearts and minds for years to come. May they help us help others who are entering the school of prayer. Amen.