Although Jesus can provide audible answers to our prayers, He primarily chooses to speak to us through His written Word and the Holy Spirit, who is our Helper, Comforter, and Teacher. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” Additionally, Jesus said in John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
But why does Jesus choose not to speak to us audibly?
One reason is because He wants us to know Him, His will, and His plan for our lives based on what He already revealed in Scripture. He provided many truths, principles, and lessons for us in His written Word that we would not think to ask, seek to know, or genuinely pursue if we did not read them consistently but expected audible answers instead. That is one reason why Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”
Another reason Jesus does not typically answer our prayers audibly is because He wants us to learn how to discern the Holy Spirit’s “still, small voice” and rely on Him to lead, guide, and direct us throughout our lifetime. Therefore, when we read the Bible consistently and learn its truths and principles, the Holy Spirit takes the information we have ascertained and helps us apply it to our specific situations, giving us clarity, direction, and discernment about what to do.
An additional reason why Jesus does not typically answer our prayers audibly is that He knows what is best and already set up the best system to answer and guide us, as mentioned above. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’”
Nonetheless, we are assured that God will answer our prayers even if He does not do it audibly. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7-11, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
I hope this information helps you understand why Jesus does not typically answer our prayers audibly, even though He is capable of doing so.
