God Who Listens: A 7-Day Devotional With Chris TomlinSample

Middle School Prayers

“And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.”

1 John 5:14 (NLT)

Eighth grade was a big year for me. That summer I was at a youth camp, and I remember kneeling down underneath a tree, and I started praying. I remember that moment like it was yesterday. I said, “God, I know You’re the Creator of all things. I have no idea if You can even hear me, but I’m available.”

God answered the humble prayer of that eighth grader. I could never have imagined then how He would bless me in the future. Today, I get to write songs that help people connect to God. Truthfully, a lot of my songs are just simple prayers.

I’ve had the privilege of singing all over the world, and still to this day, I think about that moment under the tree and that pivotal prayer. Here’s the thing, I wasn’t even sure what I was asking God for. I wasn’t even sure He would hear me, but I showed up. I was available. I started the conversation.

Prayer isn’t about our ability; it’s about our availability to Him. 

Back when I was in middle school, I didn’t know how God would use me; I just knew I desperately wanted to be used by Him. I wanted my life to count for something. It blows my mind to think that the Creator of the heavens heard my prayer and answered that prayer. 

If you make yourself available to Him, He can use you, too. All you have to do is start the conversation. 

Over the next few days, I want to show you how you can start that conversation. I think it begins by understanding more about who God is. Here’s what we’re going to learn about Him this week: 

He is a God who listens. 

He is a God who cares.

He is a God who forgives. 

He is a God who speaks.

And He is a God who answers us when we pray.

I’m not just hoping, I’m not just wishin’

I know I’m praying to a God who listens.