Silent prayers
I feel like I should not worry about this, but it has been eating away at me. Silent prayer. I have been alone for 13 years and now my children are both adults. Being alone doesn't bother me, but I have always prayed constantly in my head, not out loud. I pray a morning and evening prayer and even "talk" to God in my head throughout the day if I need to reach out for help or to thank Him. So, I guess my question is, does He listen to me as much as those who verbally speak their prayers? In Matthew 18:20, it says, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Are my petitions weaker for being alone and silent? I do attend church regularly and love the people and fellowship, but that is only once or twice a week and I pray every day. Again, I know I shouldn't worry because God is, well, God, and has no limitations. But, my sinful nature needs confirmation and support and I thank you for any inspiration you can provide.
God certainly does listen to and answer your silent prayers as much as those who verbally speak their prayers. Prayer is communication with God. Since God is all-powerful and all-knowing, that communication can be verbal or unspoken.
Think of Hannah in the Old Testament. She prayed to the Lord without speaking (1 Samuel 1:12-13). God heard her prayer and answered it. Or, think of Abraham’s servant who described “praying in my heart” (Genesis 24:45). That also was a prayer God heard and answered.
So, keep communicating with God in prayer—in spoken words or simply with thoughts. As a child of God, your words and thoughts are reaching God’s throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).
Finally, Matthew 18:20 teaches that the Lord is present in a special way when his followers gather in his name. As a child of God, you can be assured that the Lord is with you even when you do not join with other Christians in prayer and worship (Matthew 28:20).