No, God’s apparent silence doesn’t mean He hasn’t heard our prayers. God knows all about us, and He hears every pray we utter. The Psalmist declared, “Evening, morning and noon I cry out in my distress, and he hears my voice” (Psalm 55:17).

Why, then, doesn’t God always answer our prayers the way we think He should? It’s been said that God actually answers our prayers in one of three ways: Either “Yes,” or “No,” or “Wait.” There’s much truth in this — because God knows far better than we do what’s best for us, and often what we think will be the best thing for us, really isn’t. In other words, we see only part of the picture, but God sees the whole, and He knows far better than we do what’s best for us and those we love. When God appears to be silent, He may instead be telling us, “No” or “Wait.”

But sometimes God answers our prayers in ways we didn’t expect — not by saying “Yes” or “No” or “Wait,” but saying instead, “I have something better for you.” Often in my own life I’ve looked back and realized that God didn’t answer my prayers the way I wanted Him to — but in a far better way. The Bible says God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).

Make prayer part of your life every day — not just praying for yourself, but confessing your sins and praising Him for His greatness and love. God loves us — and the proof is Jesus Christ, who by His death and resurrection made our prayers possible.