The pastor asks the same question every time we meet.

Any unspoken requests?

Hands and seeking hearts go up throughout the sanctuary. Some things are just too personal or painful to voice aloud. There may come a time when we feel led by God to share them publicly;  for the present, we label them unspoken prayer requests.

The LORD hears our hearts as well as our lips. Hannah’s prayer serves as an excellent example.

“Making a vow, she pleaded, LORD of Hosts, if You will take notice of Your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give Your servant a son, I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut (1 Samuel 1:11 HCS).”

Hannah prayed in the temple area without voicing a word to anyone else.

“While she was praying in the LORD’S presence, Eli watched her lips. Hannah was speaking to herself, and although her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli thought she was drunk and scolded her (1 Samuel 1:12-14a HCS).”

The Priest, Eli,  could not hear the prayer request of Hannah. He who answered her prayer with a gift of  a son heard every word.