God is deaf

By


"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts."

                                                                                                                    - Psalms 139:23




There are roughly 6,500 languages spoken in the world today. Most of these languages are diverse and seemingly disconnected from each other.

In my family of 5, we speak 3 different languages with often overlapping sentences beginning and ending in a different language that extends to our prayers too. We all pray in different languages.

When I was young, I remember questioning this and my mom replied in an apparent unfettered tone...................... “God can understand all languages!”


Now that I am a father, and before my son questions me about this, I introspect and wonder, does God really know all 6,500 languages?






Many believers claim that Chapter 139 is their favorite from the book of Psalm. It is indeed a beautiful depiction of King David’s immensely interpersonal relationship with God. However, when you read Verse 4, although it blends with the entire chapter, it speaks of something remarkable: 


"Before a word is on my tongue, you, Lord, know it completely”.

                                                                                                        -Psalms 139:4




There are multiple instances in the Bible where we witness our God's ability to listen to our hearts (not words).


In Jeremiah 17:10 he says “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind". 


In Hebrews 4:12 Paul writes "For the word of God discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart."


And one of the most famous Bible Verses

Matthews 22:37 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.



Notice there is no mention of "words" in any of these verses. 

You might say: I know that! ...  this is not news to me!



For many believers including you, this is a passing thought. We all know for a fact that God perceives our heart and knows what "we think" and what we "don't say", but we still feel the need to use our words and sometimes loud proclamations when talking to God. Why?






There also several times when God urges you to Pray. The most famous verse which we teach our kids is Matthew 7:7 where he says: 


"Ask, and it shall be given to you"


This verse is the cornerstone of today's Praying ritual. Prayer has been part of every believer's lifestyle. Every video or text you see where a pastor or speaker is ushering you into a Godly life, they always urge you to Pray.


I, by no means, am attempting to imply that Prayer is not important. 

In fact, Prayer is a huge part of our life and an absolute must for every believer to continue to have that communication with God. 






When it comes to the use of words in our Prayers, along with Matthews 7:7, our kids should also be taught Matthews 6:7, which says:


"When you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him."



So when vain repetitive words are not needed for us to communicate with God, what is the use of language in prayer?


  • Yes, God doesn't care which language you pray in. He is not listening to your filtered expressions or your educated words nor your summarized sentences. 

  • No, God definitely won't give you extra attention if you pray loudly.
  • No, God doesn't need know all 6,500 languages of the world. He knows the language of your heart. 
  • Yes, He is listening to every thought in your mind. 
  • Not just when you're praying, but all the time.
  • Yes, God is deaf to your words.


So when the Bible is urging you to Pray, it is not talking about a prayer filled with words. It is talking about a prayerful life filled with thoughts.


Purified, pious, and positive thoughts towards God and the people around you. 


Not just for few minutes, but all the time!






Now that we determined that God is not listening to your words...


Can we safely infer that God is deaf?














btw, are you also thinking that God is mute too?


let's talk about that another time.